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Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Match Player Stats: Top Performers

Rosanna Campbell

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timberwolves vs denver nuggets match player stats

Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets match player stats draw heavy search traffic because these two Western Conference teams keep colliding in high-stakes games, and the freshest numbers come from the 2026 first-round playoff series that Minnesota won 4-2. That series produced a 43-point bench explosion, a 16-assist triple-double, and a career-high 32-point closeout performance, so the box scores deserve a careful read. This guide breaks down the top performers from every game, compares the star matchups, explains how to read the numbers, and points you toward what comes next. Every figure below comes from published box scores and game reports from outlets such as ESPN, Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, FOX Sports, and the Associated Press.

Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Match Player Stats From the Latest Meeting

The most recent Timberwolves vs Nuggets game ended 110-98 in Minnesota’s favor on April 30, 2026, in Game 6 of the Western Conference first round at Target Center. Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves with a career-high 32 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, and he shot 13-of-25 from the field. Terrence Shannon Jr. added 24 points in a surprise start, a career playoff high. The win closed the series 4-2 and sent Minnesota to a conference semifinal against the San Antonio Spurs.

That result carried weight beyond the box score. Third-seeded Nuggets entered the series as the higher seed, while sixth-seeded Minnesota played through a thin backcourt. RealGM reported injuries to three starting guards by Game 6, and Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo were already ruled out for Game 5. The Timberwolves survived those absences with depth. Shannon, Ayo Dosunmu, Bones Hyland, and Naz Reid all filled real roles across the series.

The game flow tells its own story. Denver led 30-29 after one quarter, then Minnesota outscored the Nuggets 28-20 in the second to take a 57-50 halftime lead. Denver tied the score at 67 midway through the third quarter, but the Timberwolves won the fourth quarter 28-24. McDaniels sealed it with a 19-foot jumper over Jamal Murray with 1:06 left, which pushed the lead to 105-98. Nikola Jokic reached 10 assists with 5:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, so Denver’s star kept producing even as the game slipped away.

Series Snapshot: Every Result and Standout Performer

Minnesota won the 2026 series 4-2 by taking Games 2, 3, 4, and 6, while Denver won Games 1 and 5. The Nuggets hosted Games 1, 2, and 5, and the Timberwolves hosted the rest. The table below lists each result with the top stat lines reported for that game.

GameDateFinal ScoreTop Stat Lines
1April 18Nuggets 116, Timberwolves 105Murray 30 points; Jokic 13 rebounds, 11 assists
2April 20Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114Edwards 30 points, 10 rebounds; Murray 30 points
3April 23Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96Dosunmu 25 points, 9 assists; McDaniels 20 points, 10 rebounds
4April 25Timberwolves 112, Nuggets 96Dosunmu 43 points; Murray 30 points
5April 27Nuggets 125, Timberwolves 113Jokic 27 points, 12 rebounds, 16 assists; Randle 27 points
6April 30Timberwolves 110, Nuggets 98McDaniels 32 points, 10 rebounds; Shannon 24 points

The numbers show a series that swung on role players. Murray scored 30 in three of the first four games, yet Denver went 1-3 over the first four games because Minnesota’s depth made the difference. Dosunmu’s two big bench games and McDaniels’ two-way work in Games 3 and 6 mattered more than any single star line.

This was the fourth playoff series between the two franchises, and the rivalry dates back to their first meeting on November 22, 1989, when Denver won 96-93. Minnesota won the 2004 first round 4-1, Denver won the 2023 first round 4-1, and Minnesota won the 2024 conference semifinals 4-3 after Denver blew a 20-point lead in Game 7. The 2026 series gave the Timberwolves a 3-1 edge in playoff series between the teams.

Game 6 Player Stats: McDaniels and Shannon Close the Series

McDaniels delivered the best two-way game of the series in the clincher. He played 45 minutes, scored 32 points on 13-of-25 shooting, grabbed 10 rebounds, dished three assists, and recorded two steals, including a key one with about a minute left. He also committed no turnovers, which is rare for a player who handled that much offensive responsibility.

Timberwolves standouts

Shannon’s 24 points came from a starting spot he did not expect to hold, and they gave Minnesota a perimeter scoring option it badly needed. Gobert, Randle, and Reid anchored the frontcourt around him. Minnesota’s bigger story was balance. With Edwards and DiVincenzo unavailable, the Timberwolves spread their scoring across several players instead of leaning on one.

Nuggets numbers

Jokic remained Denver’s playmaker, reaching double-digit assists, but the Nuggets could not match Minnesota’s scoring depth. Murray finished the series averaging 23.7 points while shooting just 35.7 percent from the field and 26.2 percent from three, according to Bleacher Report. Those efficiency numbers explain why a 30-point night in Games 1, 2, and 4 did not translate into enough wins. For Denver’s complete individual lines in Game 6, check the official box score on NBA.com or Basketball Reference.

Game 5 Player Stats: Jokic Triple-Double Keeps Denver Alive

Denver avoided elimination on April 27, 2026, with a 125-113 win behind a Jokic triple-double of 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 16 assists. Randle matched Jokic’s 27 points for Minnesota, and he added nine rebounds and six assists. Denver also played without forward Aaron Gordon, so Jokic carried an even heavier playmaking load than usual.

The Timberwolves’ Game 5 box score shows how short-handed they were. Dosunmu, Hyland, and Shannon all took on large roles with Edwards and DiVincenzo out. Here are the Minnesota player lines for that game.

Timberwolves PlayerMinutesPointsReboundsAssists
Julius Randle322796
Ayo Dosunmu381834
Bones Hyland231511
Terrence Shannon Jr.141510
Jaden McDaniels271331
Naz Reid241281
Kyle Anderson15436
Rudy Gobert29372

Two details stand out. Shannon scored 15 points in only 14 minutes, which hinted at the scoring burst he would deliver as a starter in Game 6. Gobert took just two shots and scored three points, yet he still grabbed seven rebounds, a reminder that his value often hides outside the scoring column.

Games 1 Through 4 Stat Leaders: Murray, Edwards, and Dosunmu

Denver opened the series with a 116-105 win in which Murray scored 30 points and Jokic recorded 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Edwards led Minnesota with 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Gobert was efficient, going 8-of-9 from the field for 17 points and 10 rebounds. Denver’s Bruce Brown made his presence felt on defense with five steals.

Minnesota evened the series 1-1 with a 119-114 win in Game 2. Edwards scored 30 points with 10 rebounds, Randle added 24 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, and DiVincenzo contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Murray answered with 30 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Jokic posted 24 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. This game showed the series at its most even, with both stars producing and the bench deciding the margin.

Game 3 turned into a defensive statement. Minnesota won 113-96 after building a 27-point lead in the third quarter, and the Timberwolves outscored Denver 68-34 in the paint. McDaniels had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Dosunmu scored 25 points with nine assists off the bench, and DiVincenzo added 15 points and four steals. Jokic put up 27 points and 15 rebounds but needed 26 shots to get them, making only seven. Murray went 5-of-17 for 16 points.

Game 4 belonged to Dosunmu. The reserve guard scored 43 points off the bench in Minnesota’s 112-96 win, which gave the Timberwolves a 3-1 series lead. Murray scored 30 points on 10-of-25 shooting, and Jokic posted 24 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. Gobert grabbed 15 rebounds, and Hyland dished seven assists. A bench player outscoring both of Denver’s stars is the sort of line that makes box score readers stop and look twice.

Star Matchup Numbers: Jokic, Murray, Edwards, and Gobert

Jokic produced elite rebounding and passing numbers all series, but his shooting efficiency fluctuated. He grabbed 15 rebounds in Games 2, 3, and 4, handed out 11 assists in Game 1, nine in Game 4, and 16 in Game 5. Still, Minnesota held him to a 7-of-26 night in Game 3, and that game produced the largest margin of the series.

Murray was the more consistent scorer in the first four games, reaching 30 points three times. His shooting percentages for the series stayed low, though, and Game 3 was his low point with 16 points on 5-of-17 shooting. For Denver, that gap between volume and efficiency cost them in close games.

Edwards opened the series strongly with 22 and 30 points in Games 1 and 2, but injuries cost him Game 5 and clouded the finish. Minnesota still survived without him, which says plenty about the rest of the roster. Gobert’s line varied the most. He posted 17 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1, only two points in Game 2, and 15 rebounds in Game 4. His impact came from rim protection and rebounding more than scoring.

The takeaway is simple. Denver’s top two players produced strong individual numbers, while Minnesota’s depth produced a winning series. When you compare Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets match player stats, look past the headline scorer and check which team received contributions from its fifth, sixth, and seventh players.

An Earlier Meeting: Nuggets 127, Timberwolves 114 on October 27, 2025

Denver beat Minnesota 127-114 on October 27, 2025, in a game that showcased Murray at his best. Murray scored 43 points on 16-of-29 shooting, including five three-pointers on nine attempts, and Denver outscored Minnesota by 30 points while he played. Jokic filled the box score with 25 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, and he made nine of his ten shots.

Tim Hardaway Jr. gave Denver 20 points off the bench on 7-of-11 shooting, and Peyton Watson added 12 points with two blocks. That game offers a useful contrast with the 2026 playoff series. In the regular-season game, Denver’s stars dominated. In the playoffs, Minnesota’s defense and depth took away that advantage.

How to Read Timberwolves and Nuggets Box Scores

A box score lists every player’s minutes, scoring, rebounding, passing, defensive plays, and turnovers, and you can scan it in under a minute once you know the abbreviations. Here is what each column tells you:

  • PTS, REB, AST: Points, total rebounds, and assists. These three numbers give the quickest read on a player’s impact.
  • FG and 3PT: Made and attempted field goals and three-pointers. A player who scores 27 on 7-of-26 shooting, like Jokic in Game 3, helped less than the raw total suggests.
  • FT: Free throws made and attempted. Trips to the line show who attacks the rim.
  • STL and BLK: Steals and blocks, the main defensive counting stats.
  • TO: Turnovers. McDaniels’ zero turnovers in Game 6 stood out on a 45-minute workload.
  • Plus/minus: The scoring margin while a player was on the court. It adds context but swings on small samples.

Pair the counting stats with shooting splits and plus/minus, and you will see the full picture. The same method works for any matchup, including our breakdown of how the Lakers and Bucks stacked up in a recent game.

What to Watch in the Next Timberwolves and Nuggets Game

The next Timberwolves and Nuggets game has not appeared on Minnesota’s schedule yet. As of October 31, 2026, the Timberwolves schedule data shows no Nuggets game through November 29, 2026. Minnesota has started the 2026-27 season with four wins in its first six games, including a 127-101 win over the LA Clippers on October 30, and it plays at San Antonio next.

When the teams do meet again, watch these four player stats:

  1. McDaniels’ scoring volume. His 32-point closeout raised the question of whether he can sustain a larger offensive role.
  2. Jokic’s shot selection. His rebounding and passing rarely dip, but his field goal percentage decided Game 3.
  3. Murray’s efficiency. A 35.7 percent series shooting mark is a number Denver wants to fix.
  4. Minnesota’s bench scoring. Dosunmu, Hyland, Shannon, and Reid gave the Timberwolves a clear edge in depth.

For live box scores, NBA.com, ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, and Basketball Reference all post complete player stats within minutes of the final buzzer. Minnesota fans who also follow football can compare team-level breakdowns in our Vikings and Seahawks player stats article.

Final Thoughts on the Timberwolves and Nuggets Player Performances

The latest Timberwolves vs Nuggets game ended with McDaniels’ 32-point, 10-rebound performance and a 4-2 series win for Minnesota. Jokic and Murray posted the biggest individual numbers for Denver, including a 16-assist triple-double in Game 5, but Minnesota’s depth, led by Dosunmu’s 43-point night and Shannon’s 24-point start, decided the series. When you read future box scores, check efficiency, bench output, and defensive plays alongside the headline point totals. Those details explain who actually won the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored the most points in the latest Timberwolves vs Nuggets game?

Jaden McDaniels led Minnesota with a career-high 32 points and 10 rebounds in the Timberwolves’ 110-98 win in Game 6 on April 30, 2026. Terrence Shannon Jr. added 24 points as a surprise starter. Those two lines headline the most recent Timberwolves and Nuggets box score.

Who won the 2026 Timberwolves vs Nuggets playoff series?

The sixth-seeded Timberwolves won the 2026 Western Conference first-round series 4-2 over third-seeded Denver. They took Games 2, 3, 4, and 6, while Denver won Games 1 and 5. Minnesota then advanced to the conference semifinals, where it faced the San Antonio Spurs.

Did Nikola Jokic record a triple-double in the series?

Yes. Jokic posted a triple-double in Game 5 on April 27, 2026, with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 16 assists in Denver’s 125-113 win. He also grabbed 15 rebounds in each of Games 2, 3, and 4, and he had 11 assists in Game 1.

What was the highest individual scoring game in these matchups?

Among the games covered here, Ayo Dosunmu scored 43 points off the bench in Game 4 on April 25, 2026, a 112-96 Minnesota win. Jamal Murray also scored 43 for Denver in a 127-114 Nuggets win on October 27, 2025, shooting 16-of-29 from the field.

Where can I find full Timberwolves vs Nuggets player stats?

Full box scores appear on NBA.com, ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, and Basketball Reference shortly after each game ends. They list minutes, shooting splits, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers, and plus/minus for every player. Check each team’s schedule for the next meeting.

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