The Nuggets and Timberwolves played what was arguably the game of the year in the NBA on Tuesday night, with the Wolves pulling out the win, 140-139 in double overtime. Nikola Jokic was absolutely incredible, setting the NBA record for most points scored in a triple-double as he had a career-high 61 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
But that wasn’t enough to overcome the Nugget’s bugaboo as the Wolves have now beaten the Nuggets six straight times dating back to last year’s playoffs. Both teams were shorthanded as the Nuggets were missing Jamal Murray (hamstring tightness) and Michael Porter Jr. (personal) while Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid were suspended for the Wolves after their fracas with the Pistons on Sunday night.
The absences didn’t remove any of the shine from this one. It felt like a playoff game from the tip and these teams clearly brought a little extra for this heated rivalry and played an instant classic that seemed like it would never end.
Westbrook chokes away game with disastrous sequence
The Nuggets appeared to finally have the game in hand after Anthony Edwards turned the ball over with just over 15 seconds left and his team trailing by one in the second overtime. But then Russell Westbrook made two of the most boneheaded plays you’ll ever see to lose his team the game.
First, on the fastbreak with Denver up by one, rather than pull the ball out to waste as much time as possible and force the Wolves to foul, Russ chose to press the issue and take it all the way for a fastbreak layup. To compound that mental mistake, Russ made a bad physical mistake and completely botched the uncontested layup, leaving it short, bouncing off the front rim, letting the Wolves off the hook, and giving them new life with just over 10 seconds left.
The ensuing scramble saw the Wolves race the ball up the court while Russ played catch up, trying to get back on defense and find his man. He was late to recognize an open Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the corner who received a pass and attempted a game-winning three from the corner as the buzzer sounded.
Westbrook closed out recklessly and jumped right into NAW’s arm as he released the shot. He was called for a foul with 0.1 seconds left on the clock, gifting the game-winning free throws to Minnesota while his teammates and a packed Ball Arena could only watch in shock and horror as the Nuggets suffered one of the worst losses of the season.
Russell Westbrook steal
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 2, 2025
Russell Westbrook missed layup
Russell Westbrook foul on a 3PA
Nickeil Alexander-Walker sinks two FTs to win in 2OT.pic.twitter.com/3xJLjEOuLp
Westbrook playing big minutes in the playoffs is terrifying
These are exactly the kind of moments that should terrify Nuggets fans. Westbrook is going to be himself, for better or worse, and sometimes that means careless, boneheaded mistakes at the worst possible times.
Live by Russ, die by Russ. Denver has made their bed and they don’t have other options at this point. Westbrook has been good overall this season, but this game proved why fans will rightfully be holding their breath every time Russ is on the court in the playoffs.