Ranking the Top 10 players in the Nuggets-Timberwolves series

The Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves will face off in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of this year’s NBA playoffs. Denver will face the sternest of tests as they continue their title defense.

The No. 3 seed Timberwolves finished the 2023-24 regular season just one game behind the Nuggets. Led by rising superstar Anthony Edwards and a collection of talented two-way players, Minnesota boasted the league’s top-ranked defense with a 108.4 defensive rating.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets had a top-five offensive rating and a top-ten defensive rating this season. With two Western Conference powerhouses fighting for a spot in the conference finals, something has to give.

Here are the Top 10 players in the Nuggets-Timberwolves series.

1) Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic is not only the best player in this series. He is the best player in the world.

In the first round, the Joker cooked the Los Angeles Lakers with series averages of 28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists. Jokic shot 59.1% from the field and 92.6% from the free throw line across five phenomenal outings.

Jokic has the kind of impact that could allow him to shift the balance of this series in the Nuggets’ favor even if Minnesota’s supporting cast outperforms Denver’s. In a 4-1 victory over the Wolves last spring, Jokic averaged 26.1 points, 12.4 boards, and 9.0 assists while shooting 50.0% from three.

The reigning Finals MVP is the odds-on favorite to win his third regular-season MVP award in the last four years. This year, he posted a career-high in field goals made per game while leading the Nuggets to a 57-25 record. Jokic averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists.

As expected, Jokic has shown great respect for the Timberwolves ahead of the series.

"Minnesota is No. 1 in defense. Of course, they have so many offensive threats. Hopefully, we are going to have answers for them."

- Nikola Jokic