The Denver Nuggets are slowly showing off their dominance which proved why they were deserving champions last season. They managed to overtake the second-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center 112-115. The Nuggets are still a major threat in the Western Conference, a division that’s stacked with elite players and rosters.
With this victory, the Nuggets have now taken over the second seed with a 48-21 record. Another victory will give them the top spot in the West, which the Oklahoma City Thunder currently holds. The Wolves did a great job on the floor against the Nuggets. However, all three of their top centers were sidelined for this matchup leaving Anthony Edwards by himself to lead the team.
Denver Nuggets player stats
The Nuggets managed to control the game throughout the night allowing the Wolves to take the lead a few times. Denver’s biggest lead was as much as 18 points during the second quarter. Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. were responsible for the Nuggets’ success towards the end. The Nuggets shot 51.9% from the field and beyond the three-point arc while recording 17–22 from the line.
Player | Minutes | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
Aaron Gordon | 32 | 14 | 2 | 11 |
Michael Porter Jr. | 32 | 26 | 1 | 4 |
Nikola Jokic | 38 | 35 | 2 | 16 |
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | 38 | 9 | 1 | 2 |
Jamal Murray | 32 | 18 | 11 | 4 |
Christian Braun | 18 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
Justin Holiday | 18 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
Reggie Jackson | 17 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
Peyton Watson | 16 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Jokic recorded a 35-point and 16-rebound double-double. Porter Jr. had yet another stellar performance of 26 points backed by Jamal Murray’s 18 points and 11 assists. Aaron Gordon recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds while Justin Holiday and Reggie Jackson led the bench unit.
Minnesota Timberwolves player stats
The Wolves led by as much as 4 points during the fourth quarter but that is as far as it got. Minnesota struggled to contain Jokic and Porter Jr. down the stretch as Rudy Gobert was absent. They shot 47.7% from the field, 34.3% from deep, and 69.6% from the free throw line. Monte Morris came off the bench and contributed three of the Wolves’ 10 steals during the game.
Player | Minutes | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
Kyle Anderson | 26 | 12 | 4 | 3 |
Jaden McDaniels | 38 | 26 | 0 | 6 |
Monte Morris | 23 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
Anthony Edwards | 38 | 30 | 8 | 8 |
Mike Conley Jr. | 29 | 13 | 5 | 6 |
Nickeil Alexander-Walker | 36 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
Luka Garza | 22 | 11 | 0 | 6 |
Jordan McLaughlin | 19 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
TJ Warren | 9 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
Anthony Edwards led the flock with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists along with two steals. Jaden McDaniels scored 26 points and 6 rebounds. Mike Conley played a crucial role towards the end. He finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists backed by 12 points from Kyle Anderson. Luka Garza led the bench with 11 points.