The Denver Nuggets didn’t just beat the Minnesota Timberwolves — they dismantled their momentum. On Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 8:00 PM EST, in front of a raucous crowd at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Denver pulled away in the second half to win 123-112, extending their winning streak to seven games and halting Minnesota’s own four-game run. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t lucky. It was Nikola Jokić doing what he does best: turning basketball into a chess match only he fully understands.
Jokić’s Masterclass
Nikola Jokić, the two-time NBA MVP and Denver’s gravitational center, delivered a textbook triple-double: 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Not just any triple-double — this one came on 11-of-17 shooting, with seven of those assists setting up open threes for teammates who’d been cold all night. He didn’t force shots. He didn’t chase stats. He orchestrated. When the Timberwolves doubled him in the paint, he found Jamal Murray cutting to the baseline. When they sagged off, he hit the mid-range jumper like it was a free throw. And when Minnesota tried to switch onto him in the post? He just posted up and scored anyway."He’s not just the best passer in the league," said one scout watching from the stands. "He’s the only guy who makes passing look like the easiest thing in the world."
Denver’s Balanced Attack
Jokić didn’t do it alone. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Aaron Gordon each dropped 23 points, with Gordon adding 10 rebounds and two crucial blocks in the fourth. Murray, the veteran point guard, was the quiet engine — 23 points, 12 assists, zero turnovers. The Nuggets’ bench, often a question mark early this season, stepped up too. Jonas Valanciūnas played 18 minutes off the pine, chipping in 14 points and seven rebounds, keeping Denver’s offensive rhythm alive when Jokić sat.Denver’s offense? Third in the NBA at 124.5 points per game. Their field goal percentage? A league-leading 50.9%. Saturday’s game was a clinic: 51% shooting overall, 12 three-pointers, and 28 assists on 44 made field goals. This isn’t just talent — it’s chemistry. And it’s growing.
Minnesota’s Fight, But No Finish
The Timberwolves weren’t outplayed in the first half. Far from it. They led 60-55 at the break, with Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle each scoring 26 points — Edwards with explosive drives, Randle with physical post-ups. Minnesota’s defense, ranked top-three in rebounding, held its own. They out-rebounded Denver 48-43. But the third quarter changed everything.Denver outscored Minnesota 32-21 in the third. Not because they got lucky. Because Jokić started finding gaps in Minnesota’s rotations. And because Denver’s shooters — Hardaway, Gordon, even Murray — started hitting. When the Timberwolves tried to trap Jokić, they left shooters open. When they stayed home, he dished. When they switched, he bullied them.
"We knew what was coming," said Edwards after the game. "But you can’t guard him with one guy. You need three. And we don’t have that luxury."
History Repeats — Sort Of
This was the second meeting between these Northwest Division rivals in the 2025-2026 season. Denver won the first, 127-114, back in October — when Edwards and Jaylen Clark were sidelined. Now, with both healthy, Minnesota thought they’d even the score. They didn’t. The Nuggets are now 2-0 against Minnesota this season. Last year, the Timberwolves swept the series. The narrative has flipped.Minnesota’s home record against Denver is a mess. In their last 10 home games against Denver, they’ve cleared 119.5 points just once — despite averaging over 119.5 in six of their last seven overall games. That’s not a coincidence. Denver’s system, their spacing, their patience — it just breaks Minnesota’s rhythm.
What’s Next? The Race for the West
With the win, Denver improved to 10-2 — tied for the best record in the Western Conference. Minnesota fell to 8-5, still in the top six but now trailing by a half-game. Both teams are playoff locks. But this game wasn’t just about standings. It was about identity.The Nuggets have become the league’s most balanced team — elite scoring, elite passing, elite defense when they need it. The Timberwolves? They’re explosive. Dangerous. But inconsistent. They win big against bottom-tier teams. They lose close ones to elite ones. Saturday was one of those.
Next up: Denver hosts the Chicago Bulls on Monday, November 17. Minnesota welcomes the Dallas Mavericks — a tougher test than they’d like. But the real story? Jokić. He’s not just playing basketball. He’s redefining it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jokić’s triple-double compare to other MVP-caliber performances this season?
Jokić’s 27-point, 12-rebound, 11-assist night is his 11th triple-double of the 2025-2026 season — the most in the NBA. Only two other players, Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have recorded more than five. But Jokić is the only one averaging a triple-double (28.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, 10.9 assists) while shooting over 50% from the field. No other MVP candidate combines volume, efficiency, and playmaking like he does.
Why has Denver’s bench improved so much this season?
Last year, Denver’s second unit struggled with consistency, especially after the departure of Monte Morris. This season, Jonas Valanciūnas has provided elite interior presence, while rookies like Ryan Rollins and Christian Braun have added defensive energy. The Nuggets’ coaching staff has also adjusted rotations to keep Jokić rested — he now averages just 32 minutes per game, down from 35 last year. That rest has kept him fresher in the fourth quarter.
What makes the Nuggets-Timberwolves rivalry so intense this year?
After Minnesota swept the Nuggets last season, Denver’s front office made a point of upgrading their depth and defensive schemes. This year, both teams are elite — Denver with structure, Minnesota with athleticism. They’ve met in the playoffs twice in the last three years, and each game feels like a playoff preview. The physicality, the pace, the star power — it’s become the most compelling matchup in the Western Conference.
Can the Timberwolves still compete for the top seed in the West?
Yes — but they need to fix their road performance. Minnesota is 6-1 at home but just 2-4 away. Against top-10 teams, they’re 1-4. Denver, by contrast, is 5-1 on the road. To challenge for the #1 seed, Minnesota must win close games against elite teams, not just blow out lower-tier opponents. Saturday’s loss exposed a gap in clutch execution when the defense collapses.
Is Jokić a lock for MVP again this season?
He’s the favorite. His stats are historic: 28.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, 10.9 assists on 50.9% shooting. No player in NBA history has averaged those numbers in a single season. He’s also leading Denver to the league’s best offensive rating. Even if he misses a few games, his impact is so profound that voters won’t overlook him. The only question is whether someone like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can match his efficiency over 75+ games.
What’s the significance of Denver’s 50.9% field goal percentage?
That’s the highest in the NBA since the 2004-2005 Suns, who averaged 50.6%. It’s not just about shooting — it’s about spacing, passing, and decision-making. The Nuggets take fewer three-pointers than most elite teams, but they make more of them (41.2%). Their ability to convert mid-range shots and finishes at the rim without relying on isolation plays makes them nearly impossible to defend. It’s basketball as it should be played.