The Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Denver Nuggets from the playoffs on April 30, 2026, despite missing key players due to injuries, including Anthony Edwards, who was sidelined with a knee issue. This decisive Game 6 unfolded at Target Center in Minnesota, where the Timberwolves sought to close out the series after taking a commanding lead.
Prior to Game 6, the Timberwolves held a 3-2 series lead against the Nuggets, having taken three out of five games. The Nuggets managed to win Game 5 with a score of 125-113, thanks in part to Jamal Murray’s impressive performance, where he scored 30 points. However, this victory did not shift the momentum as anticipated, especially given that they entered Game 6 as 7.5-point favorites.
The match commenced with high stakes for both teams. The Nuggets needed to win to force a Game 7, while the Timberwolves aimed to secure their advancement in the NBA playoffs. As anticipated, Nikola Jokic was projected to be pivotal for Denver, expected to score around 26.4 points. Yet, his performance in Game 6 fell short of expectations; he ended with 28 points, alongside nine rebounds and ten assists.
As events unfolded in Game 6, it became apparent that Denver’s defense—ranked 21st in the league during the regular season—struggled against Minnesota’s offensive efforts. Despite Jokic’s contributions, Jamal Murray faced difficulties and could only manage 12 points, shooting poorly at 4-17 from the field. This lack of offensive support proved detrimental for Denver as they attempted to rally.
The Timberwolves took advantage of their home-court atmosphere and executed their game plan effectively. Even without Edwards, they managed to project confidence and resilience. Reports indicated that they had five players projected to score over 11.7 points, which ultimately proved accurate as they collectively outperformed their opponents.
The culmination of these events led to a final score that saw Minnesota triumph over Denver once again, thereby eliminating them from playoff contention. This outcome marks just the second occasion in Jokic’s career that he has been knocked out in the first round of the playoffs—a statistic that will likely weigh heavily on him and his team moving forward.
This series has been notable not only for its competitive nature but also for how injuries impacted team dynamics. The Timberwolves’ ability to advance despite missing key players speaks volumes about their depth and strategic execution under pressure.
