Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114: Edwards leads Game 2 win

The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 119-114 on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Ball Arena, with Anthony Edwards delivering 30 points and 10 rebounds as Minnesota evened its first-round NBA playoff series at 1-1. The Timberwolves recovered from an early 14-point deficit and closed stronger in the fourth quarter.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Denver came out sharp and built a 39-25 lead after one quarter. The Nuggets moved the ball well, hit 3-pointers, and looked in control early as Jamal Murray set the scoring tone. Minnesota had trouble slowing Denver’s half-court execution in the opening 12 minutes.

Second Quarter

The game changed in the second. Minnesota answered with a 39-25 quarter of its own, matching Denver’s first-quarter surge and sending the teams into halftime tied at 64-64. The Timberwolves found better rhythm offensively, got to their spots more consistently, and tightened up enough defensively to erase the early gap.

Third Quarter

Denver edged the third quarter 29-26 and took a 93-90 lead into the final period. Nikola Jokic continued to anchor the Nuggets with his playmaking and rebounding, while Murray kept pressure on Minnesota’s defense. Still, the Timberwolves stayed within reach and prevented Denver from building major separation.

Fourth Quarter

Minnesota finished the job with a 29-21 fourth quarter. The Timberwolves executed better late, won key possessions on the glass, and made enough perimeter shots to move in front. Denver’s offense slowed in the closing minutes, and Minnesota did enough at both ends to come away with the road win.

Key Performers

Minnesota Timberwolves:
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 30 points and 10 rebounds, giving the Timberwolves a reliable scoring option throughout the night. Julius Randle added playmaking value with a team-high six assists. As a team, Minnesota shot 47.8% from the field, 41.2% from 3-point range, and finished with 49 rebounds and 30 assists.

Denver Nuggets:
Jamal Murray led Denver with 30 points. Nikola Jokic delivered an all-around line with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists, again serving as the center of Denver’s offense. The Nuggets finished at 44.2% from the field and 36.6% from beyond the arc, with 28 assists and 43 rebounds.

NerdSports Stat: Minnesota became the first team in this game to win multiple quarters, and that consistency mattered more than Denver’s dominant 39-point opening period.

Game Analysis

This result came down to Minnesota’s response after the first quarter and its cleaner finish late. The Timberwolves matched Denver’s early surge with a 39-point second quarter, then stayed steady enough to take over in the final 12 minutes. Their 49-43 rebounding edge and 30-28 advantage in assists reflected a strong balance of shot creation and second-chance control.

Minnesota also gained a modest efficiency edge, shooting 47.8% overall compared with Denver’s 44.2%, while hitting 14 3-pointers at 41.2%. Even though the Timberwolves left points at the line by shooting 63.3% on free throws, they made up for it with better shot quality and timely execution. Denver had a strong start and enough offense to stay in front for stretches, but the Nuggets scored only 21 points in the fourth quarter, which opened the door for the comeback.

For Denver, the pairing of Murray’s scoring and Jokic’s all-around production remained productive, but the Nuggets could not maintain their first-quarter pace. For Minnesota, Edwards’ two-way impact stood out, especially with his scoring and rebounding on the road in a playoff setting.

Closing Context

With the win, Minnesota tied the Western Conference first-round series 1-1 and took back some momentum before the matchup shifts forward in the series. The Timberwolves are now 49-33 overall, while Denver is 54-28, but the bigger takeaway is simple: through two playoff games, neither side has created separation.

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