The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off an impressive upset on April 30, 2026, at the Target Center, eliminating the Denver Nuggets from the NBA playoffs in Game 6. Despite missing key players like Anthony Edwards due to a knee injury, the Timberwolves managed to secure a victory against a favored Nuggets team.
The series had been tightly contested, with the Timberwolves leading 3-2 after taking a commanding 3-1 lead earlier. The Nuggets, who had hoped to force a decisive Game 7, entered Game 6 as 7.5-point favorites according to FanDuel Sportsbook. However, they struggled to find their rhythm.
In Game 5, Jamal Murray had delivered a stellar performance with 30 points, helping the Nuggets win and keep their playoff hopes alive. But his efforts fell short in Game 6 as he managed to score only 12 points, shooting just 4-17 from the field and failing to hit any three-pointers.
Nikola Jokic tried to carry his team with a solid performance, finishing with 28 points, nine rebounds, and ten assists. However, the Nuggets’ defense—ranked 21st during the regular season—could not contain the Timberwolves’ offensive push.
Key statistics from Game 6:
- The Timberwolves eliminated the Nuggets with a final score of 3-2 in the series.
- Nikola Jokic scored 28 points while Jamal Murray struggled with just 12 points.
- The over/under for total points scored in Game 6 was set at 224.5.
This playoff exit marks just the second time in Nikola Jokic’s career that he has been knocked out in the first round. The loss is particularly disappointing for Denver fans who had high hopes for this season.
The Timberwolves’ victory resonates deeply within their community. Fans like local resident Sarah Thompson expressed their joy: “We believed we could do it even without Anthony. This win shows our team’s resilience!” With this win, they advance further into the playoffs, ready to face new challenges ahead.