Dramatic Loss: Wolves Fall To Nuggets After Explosive Start
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 26 points and 19 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets completed a late rally to win their 12th in a row against Minnesota, beating the Timberwolves 93-91 on Saturday night.
Monte Morris made a layup to break an 89-all tie with 2:04 to play, and Jokic added a pair of free throws to give the Nuggets a four-point lead, their largest of the game.
Anthony Edwards had a layup with 31 seconds to play, and the Wolves got a final chance after Karl-Anthony Towns forced a turnover by Jokic. But Will Barton came up with a crucial block on Malik Beasley and Edwards missed a final attempt under the rim as the seconds ticked off.
Beasley scored all of his 18 points on 3-pointers to lead the Wolves, who got just 14 from Towns. Minnesota's big man shot 4 of 11 from the floor and had only eight rebounds.
Jokic's defense had a lot to do with that. Playing for the second straight night on an injured knee, the NBA's reigning MVP went 10 for 23 from the floor, dished seven assists and frustrated Towns inside.
The Wolves led by as many as 14 before Jokic finally warmed up. Denver outscored Minnesota 14-4 to close out the first half and steadily chipped away. But Minnesota kept answering with 3s; the Wolves went 13 of 41 from the arc and hit six in a row to close out the third quarter to slow Denver's run and narrowly keep the Wolves in front.
TIP-INS
Nuggets: Denver hasn't lost to Minnesota since April 11, 2018. ... Morris finished with 16 points, while Aaron Gordon had 12 and Barton 10. ... Jokic didn't score his first points until midway through the second quarter and had 10 in the half.
Timberwolves: Beasley's six 3-pointers were a season high. ... Edwards and D'Angelo Russell both finished with 14 points. Edwards also had 11 rebounds and brought the crowd to its feet with a couple of rim-rattling dunks. Naz Reid added 12 points. ... Edwards had his first double-double of the season.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: At Memphis on Monday.
Timberwolves: Host Orlando on Monday.
