The Denver Nuggets are defeated 136-130 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite Monte Morris' 23 points and 4-5 three-point shooting in the fourth quarter, the T-Wolves were simply too much. With 38 points, 19 rebounds, and 8 assists, Nikola Joki leads all players. Karl Anthony-Towns finished with 32 points, four three-pointers, and nine rebounds. The Nuggets committed 18 turnovers and went 12-35 from three-point range.
The Nuggets are still in sixth position after this setback. If the Utah Jazz lose to the Golden State Warriors tomorrow, the Nuggets will have a second chance to catch up to them in the standings if they win the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Minnesota, on the other hand, is now only two games behind the Nuggets. From now on, the Nuggets must treat every game as if it were a playoff game.
1st Quarter:
The Nuggets score on their first three possessions, but the T-Wolves' active hands-on defence stops them. Early in the game, D'Angelo Russell makes two three-pointers, and the Wolves go on a 16-5 run. In the opening four minutes of the quarter, Denver recorded three turnovers. The Wolves' first 23 points were scored by Karl Anthony-Towns and D'Angelo Russell. In his first game back from injury, JaMychal Green dunked on KAT and finished a beautiful alley-oop from Bones Hyland.
In the first quarter, the Nuggets struggled from three-point range but the Wolves did not; Denver went 2-8 while Minnesota shot 6-11. Jokic finishes the quarter with 12 points and no turnovers. DeMarcus Cousins hits a three-pointer right before the buzzer, and the Nuggets trail 40-35 after one quarter.
2nd Quarter:
To start things off, Bones Hyland steals the ball and runs it coast to coast for a difficult finish. The Nuggets go cold for a while, and after Boogie picks up three quick fouls and a technical, Jokic is forced to come back in earlier than usual. To begin the second, the Nuggets gave up an 11-2 run. The Nuggets' 0-4 3-point shooting streak went until the 7-minute mark.
3rd Quarter:
Karl Anthony-Towns receives his fourth foul early in the fourth quarter but continues to play. To begin the second half, the T-Wolves go on a 9-2 run. The refs award D'Angelo Russell the game's third technical foul. After starting the game 1-7, Will Barton scores his first points on a and-1. Coach Malone challenges the call, and the refs confirm it. Jeff Green attempts to draw a charge on Karl Anthony-Towns, but it is called a blocking foul on the floor.
4th Quarter:
After Green starts things up with a putback, Karl Anthony-Towns hits his fourth three of the night. Jokic returns to the game after barely a minute and 15 seconds on the sideline. Since Jokic left, the Wolves have gone on a 13-2 run to extend their lead to nine points. To begin the fourth quarter, the Nuggets struggled on offence and defence. Denver throws up back-to-back mistakes on the opening pass of the possession, both of which result in Wolves scoring on the break.
