Timberwolves Beat Nuggets 110-98, Win Series in Game 6

The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 110-98 on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Target Center, with Jaden McDaniels leading all scorers with 32 points in a series-clinching Game 6. Minnesota recovered from an early deficit, controlled the glass, and steadily widened the margin over the final three quarters.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Denver opened with a strong offensive start and took a 30-29 lead after one quarter. The Nuggets generated efficient early offense behind Nikola Jokic, while Minnesota stayed within one possession thanks to balanced scoring and enough half-court execution to keep the game close.

Second Quarter

The Timberwolves shifted the game before halftime by outscoring Denver 28-20 in the second. Minnesota tightened up defensively, turned extra possessions into points, and moved in front 57-50 at the break. That seven-point swing gave the home team control after trailing at the end of the first.

Third Quarter

Minnesota maintained its edge in the third, taking the period 25-24. Denver looked to trim the margin through Jokic’s playmaking, but the Timberwolves continued to answer key runs and carried an 82-74 lead into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter

The Nuggets needed a push to extend the series, but Minnesota stayed composed down the stretch and outscored Denver 28-24 in the final period. The Timberwolves continued to win second-chance opportunities and finished the game with enough stops to close out a 12-point victory.

Key Performers

Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves: McDaniels delivered the top scoring performance of the night with 32 points and 10 rebounds, giving Minnesota a major two-way lift in the clincher.

Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves: Gobert anchored the interior with 13 rebounds and also added 8 assists, an unusual and important playmaking number for Minnesota’s center.

Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: Jokic led Denver with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists, finishing just short of a triple-double while carrying much of the Nuggets’ offensive creation.

NerdSports Stat: Minnesota won this game by 12 despite making only 7 of 29 from three-point range, because the Timberwolves finished +17 on the glass and attempted 19 more shots than Denver.

Game Analysis

This game turned on volume and control more than outside shooting. Minnesota shot 45.7% from the field, nearly identical to Denver’s 45.3%, but the Timberwolves created a major possession advantage. They finished with a 50-33 rebounding edge and attempted 94 shots compared to Denver’s 75, which offset a modest 24.1% mark from beyond the arc.

The second quarter was the most important stretch. After Denver scored 30 in the opening frame, Minnesota limited the Nuggets to 20 in the next period and began to dictate the tempo. From there, the Timberwolves never lost their grip on the game. Their offense did not rely on one hot shooting stretch; instead, it was built on steady execution, work on the boards, and enough support around McDaniels’ scoring outburst.

For Denver, Jokic produced his usual all-around line, but the Nuggets could not match Minnesota’s physical presence on the glass or generate enough possessions to make up the difference. In a closeout setting on the road, that gap became too large to overcome.

Closing Context

With the victory, Minnesota won the first-round playoff series 4-2 and advanced to the next round in the Western Conference bracket. The Timberwolves improved their overall record to 49-33, while Denver’s season ended at 54-28 after the Nuggets were unable to force a Game 7.

Frequently Asked Questions