The Minnesota Timberwolves knocked out the defending champion Denver Nuggets in a seven-game Western Conference Semifinals, completing a dramatic comeback that few saw coming. Anthony Edwards and his teammates silenced the Denver crowd in Game 7, closing out the series 98-90 on May 19, 2024.

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Series: Timberwolves 4-3 Nuggets · Final Game: May 19, 2024 · Location: Denver, CO · Game 7 Score: Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 90

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Timberwolves won series 4-3 (Land of Basketball)
  • Game 7: Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 90 (ESPN)
  • Game 6 margin: 45 points (Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70) (StatMuse)
  • Anthony Edwards scored 27 points in Game 6 (ESPN)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Nuggets will pursue roster changes
  • Specific post-game injury reports for key players
  • Future matchup potential between these teams
3Timeline signal
  • Series concluded May 19, 2024 (Land of Basketball)
  • Timberwolves advanced to West Finals vs Mavericks (Land of Basketball)
  • Decision came down to final game minutes (Land of Basketball)
4What’s next
  • Timberwolves face Mavericks in West Finals (lost 1-4) (Land of Basketball)
  • Summer trade decisions loom for Nuggets (Land of Basketball)
  • Both teams reset for 2024-25 season (Land of Basketball)
Key Fact Value
Series Result Timberwolves 4-3 Nuggets
Series Dates May 4–19, 2024
Nuggets Regular Season Record 57-25
Timberwolves Regular Season Record 56-26
Game 6 Margin 45 points (Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70)
Game 7 Comeback 20-point deficit erased

Who won the Nuggets game?

The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals on May 19, 2024, closing out the series with a 98-90 victory at Ball Arena. The win sent shockwaves through the NBA world as the defending champions were eliminated one round before the Conference Finals.

Game 1 Recap

The Timberwolves struck first with a 106-99 road victory in Game 1 on May 4, 2024, shooting an impressive 52.4% from the field. This set the tone for what would become a grinding, defensive battle between two elite teams.

Key Performances

Anthony Edwards emerged as the series’ dominant force, particularly in the elimination games. His 27-point performance in Game 6 forced the decisive contest, while he overcame a slow start in Game 7 to lead the comeback charge. Analysis from ESPN noted that Edwards led the Wolves back from a 20-point deficit in Game 7 for the series-clinching win.

The upshot

Edwards proved he could perform under playoff pressure, delivering his best basketball when elimination loomed. The Nuggets had no answer for his explosiveness in Games 6 and 7.

Who is favored to win: Timberwolves or Nuggets?

Heading into the series, the Nuggets held the favorite status as defending NBA champions with a 57-25 regular season record compared to the Timberwolves’ 56-26. However, the Timberwolves dispatched that narrative decisively, proving they belonged among the West’s elite contenders.

Predictions and Odds

The series showcased why basketball analysts debated the matchup for weeks. Denver’s Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray provided elite two-way play, but the Timberwolves’ collective defensive effort and Edwards’ scoring bursts ultimately prevailed across seven games.

Historical Edge

The Nuggets finished with a higher series free-throw percentage (.810 vs .748) and won Games 3-5 to take a 3-2 series lead. Yet the Timberwolves held the edge in field goal percentage (.470 vs .452) and dominated the crucial games at both ends of the series.

Why this matters

The Timberwolves’ 4-3 victory proved they could beat the best team in the league on the road when it counted most. That kind of playoff resolve changes how Vegas and analysts view them for future seasons.

What were the Timberwolves vs Nuggets last 5 games?

The final five games of the series told the story of momentum swings that define playoff basketball. After splitting the first two games in Denver, both teams traded dominant victories, creating a back-and-forth battle that reached its climax in Game 7.

Recent Results

The Nuggets took control with three consecutive wins in Games 3-5: a 117-90 blowout in Minnesota, a 115-107 home win, and a 112-97 victory. The Timberwolves answered with their own statement game—a 115-70 demolition of Denver on May 16, 2024, the largest margin in series history.

Score Breakdown

Game Date Result Winner
Game 3 May 10, 2024 Nuggets 117, Wolves 90 Nuggets
Game 4 May 12, 2024 Nuggets 115, Wolves 107 Nuggets
Game 5 May 14, 2024 Nuggets 112, Wolves 97 Nuggets
Game 6 May 16, 2024 Wolves 115, Nuggets 70 Timberwolves
Game 7 May 19, 2024 Wolves 98, Nuggets 90 Timberwolves

The pattern was stark: the team hosting the blowout win ultimately lost the series. Denver’s 27-point Game 3 win looked dominant until Minnesota answered with a 45-point margin in Game 6, forcing a winner-take-all contest.

What is the 2024 Playoffs West Semifinal schedule?

The full series timeline spanned 16 days from May 4 through May 19, 2024, with each team hosting three games in the 2-2-1-1-1 format. Both franchises navigated first-round sweeps before meeting in this grueling semifinal.

Full Timeline

Game Date Location Final Score
Game 1 May 4, 2024 Denver Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
Game 2 May 6, 2024 Denver Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80
Game 3 May 10, 2024 Minnesota Nuggets 117, Timberwolves 90
Game 4 May 12, 2024 Minnesota Nuggets 115, Timberwolves 107
Game 5 May 14, 2024 Denver Nuggets 112, Timberwolves 97
Game 6 May 16, 2024 Minnesota Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70
Game 7 May 19, 2024 Denver Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 90

The schedule packed seven games into less than three weeks, testing both rosters’ depth and endurance. Minnesota won Games 1-2 on the road before splitting the home dates, then took care of business in the elimination games.

Key Dates

The 45-point Game 6 blowout on May 16 forced the decisive Game 7 just three days later. Both teams had identical rest between games during the final stretch, making mental fortitude and coaching adjustments the deciding factors.

What to watch

The back-to-back elimination games in Games 6-7 revealed which roster could sustain intensity under extreme pressure. Minnesota’s youth and depth won that battle, while the defending champions ran out of answers in the final minutes.

Where can I watch Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets game 2?

Game 2 of the series aired on TNT on May 6, 2024, with a 10:30 p.m. ET tip-off. The broadcast captured the Timberwolves’ dominant 106-80 victory as Minnesota seized a 2-0 series lead in Denver.

Broadcast Options

NBA playoff games typically air across TNT, ESPN, and ABC, with regional sports networks handling local broadcasts. Fans can also stream games through league-approved platforms like ESPN+ and the NBA app for out-of-market coverage.

Streaming Services

Cord-cutters accessed the series through fuboTV, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream, all of which carry the major national networks airing NBA playoff games. The league’s partnerships with streaming platforms ensure broad accessibility for viewers nationwide.

Upsides

  • Timberwolves upset the defending champions
  • Anthony Edwards announced himself as a playoff star
  • Timberwolves advanced to Western Conference Finals
  • Game 6 and 7 provided must-watch drama

Downsides

  • Game 7 lacked close finish—Nuggets faded in fourth quarter
  • Nikola Jokić appeared fatigued in elimination games
  • Timberwolves ultimately lost West Finals to Mavericks 1-4
  • Series included two blowout losses for both teams

Series Statistics Comparison

The numbers reveal how each team’s identity shaped the series outcome. Minnesota held the efficiency edge throughout, while Denver excelled at the free-throw line but could not overcome inconsistent scoring.

Statistic Timberwolves Nuggets
Series FG% .470 .452
Series 3P% .353 .353
Series FT% .748 .810
Avg Points Per Game 102.7 97.6
Avg Rebounds Per Game 42.9 40.0
Games Won 4 3

The shooting percentages tell the story of Minnesota’s series-long efficiency advantage. Even in losses, the Timberwolves maintained better field goal numbers, while the Nuggets’ free-throw precision could not compensate for their inability to score consistently.

Bottom line: The Timberwolves exposed the Nuggets’ depth limitations in a seven-game grind, winning the series despite not having home-court advantage. Edwards proved he can carry a team past elite competition when it matters most. The Nuggets now face roster construction questions heading into the next season, while Minnesota’s breakthrough signals a new Western Conference contender.

Expert Perspectives

Edwards leads Wolves back from 20-point deficit for 98-90 win over defending NBA champion Nuggets.

— Associated Press recap via ESPN

Timberwolves force Game 7 by blowing out Nuggets 115-70 behind 27 points from Anthony Edwards.

— StatMuse game analysis

The narrative that emerged across the series was clear: Edwards elevated his game against the league’s best defense, while the Nuggets’ supporting cast couldn’t generate enough secondary scoring in the elimination games. The AP’s post-game coverage captured the magnitude of the upset, emphasizing that a 20-point comeback in Game 7 on the road represents one of the defining performances in recent playoff history.

Related reading: Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder Stats – Head-to-Head Breakdown

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Frequently asked questions

Who won Game 7 between Timberwolves and Nuggets?

The Minnesota Timberwolves won Game 7 with a 98-90 victory over the Denver Nuggets on May 19, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver. The win completed a 4-3 series comeback.

What was the final score of the Timberwolves vs Nuggets series?

The Timberwolves won the series 4-3 over the defending champion Nuggets. The final game score was Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 90.

How many games did the Timberwolves vs Nuggets series go?

The series went the full seven games, with the Timberwolves winning Games 1, 2, 6, and 7, while the Nuggets won Games 3, 4, and 5.

What was the largest margin of victory in the series?

Game 6 featured the largest margin: the Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 115-70, a 45-point blowout that forced the decisive Game 7.

Where were the Timberwolves vs Nuggets games played?

Games 1-2 and 5, 7 were played in Denver at Ball Arena. Games 3-4 and 6 were held in Minneapolis at Target Center.

Who was the top scorer in the Timberwolves vs Nuggets series?

Anthony Edwards led the series with clutch performances, including 27 points in Game 6. Nikola Jokić led Denver with his usual all-around production.

What happened after the Timberwolves beat the Nuggets?

The Timberwolves advanced to the Western Conference Finals where they faced the Dallas Mavericks. Minnesota lost that series 1-4.