Even the most optimistic Nuggets fan has to be struggling to take a glass-half-full approach after what we watched in the last three games. Denver looked completely outclassed by the Timberwolves in just about every way possible, dropping three straight games, and now facing a 3-1 series deficit with their season on the brink.
The Wolves look fresher, hungrier, and they’ve been dictating the terms with their overwhelming pace and physicality. Meanwhile, the Nuggets look exhausted and lethargic, showing a disappointing lack of fight in both games in Minnesota.
Usually, when things look grim for Denver, they can at least fall back on the idea of Nikola Jokic saving the day, but for the first time, perhaps ever, Jokic is getting it handed to him by the opposing center, Rudy Gobert.
The four-time DPOY has almost single-handedly neutralized the Joker, making him into an inefficient turnover machine in the last three games. Jokic bafflingly can’t seem to make an outside shot, and Rudy is making life hell on him when he tries to force the action inside the paint. In the critical fourth quarter of Game 4, Jokic shot 0-6, scored 0 points, and went after Jaden McDaniels in a moment of frustration, which got him ejected in the final seconds of a demoralizing, 112-96 loss.
Timberwolves' injuries may catch up to them
Based on the way the Nuggets are playing, there’s no real reason to think they are going to suddenly turn it around and win three straight games, but if there’s one thing that could give them life, it’s the devastating injuries suffered by a couple of key Wolves starters.
Minutes into the game, Donte DiVincenzo, who was having an awesome series, went down awkwardly and tore his achilles. Then, before half, Anthony Edwards went down with an ugly-looking knee injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Donte is obviously done for the season, and while there has been no update on Ant, he was already dealing with an injury to his other knee, and this one didn’t look good at all. The Wolves were riding the momentum of the crowd and adrenaline, and overcame the injuries to finish this one off, led by an out-of-body 43-point performance by Ayo Dosunmu off the bench.
Anthony Edwards landed awkwardly and was holding his left knee.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 26, 2026
His right knee has been the one that has been bothering him lately.pic.twitter.com/qv9VJazKsc
Pressure on Wolves to close out series down 2 starters
Doing it for half a game is one thing, but potentially having to finish off a team in the playoffs without your starting backcourt is no easy task. The Wolves’ depth could be seriously tested as Dosunmu played the entire second half, and they were forced to lean heavily on Mike Conley and Bones Hyland.
It’s not much, but it may be a glimmer of hope for the Nuggets. The Wolves may be badly shorthanded in Game 5, and that could be the opening Denver needs. Perhaps, back home, against a weakened opponent, they can find a rhythm and gain some momentum. If they can steal one game, they can send the series back to Minnesota and put the pressure on them to close it out at home. If they can steal that one on the road… who knows?
There’s no way Nuggets fans are going to get this bad taste out of their mouths anytime soon, but when they do, they’ll have to talk themselves into a comeback, and this is probably the best realistic shot. It’s time for everyone to channel their inner Lloyd Christmas for the next few days. “So you’re telling me there’s a chance?”
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