Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves rivalry has captivated NBA fans in the 2024-25 season building on their intense 2024 Western Conference Semifinals clash where Minnesota stunned the defending champions in seven games. With stars like Nikola Jokić and Anthony Edwards driving their teams these matchups blend elite offense stout defense and high stakes drama. This player stats from their 2024-25 regular season games November 1 2024 and April 1 2025 alongside insights from the 2024 playoffs. Drawing from sources like NBA.com ESPN.com Sportskeeda.com SI.com and posts on X.
Table of Contents
Rivalry Context and 2024-25 Matchups
The Nuggets lead the all-time regular season series 89-60 over 149 games (landofbasketball.com). Their 2024 playoff series, a 4-3 Timberwolves victory, showcased Minnesota’s defensive prowess and Denver’s resilience (Basketball-Reference.com). The 2024-25 season brought roster shifts: Minnesota traded Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, while Denver added Russell Westbrook (Wikipedia). These changes fueled three regular season clashes (NBA.com, Sofascore.com).
- November 1, 2024, at Target Center: Timberwolves won 110-89 (NBA.com).
- January 25, 2025, at Ball Arena: Scheduled, no detailed stats available (StatMuse.com).
- April 1, 2025, at Ball Arena: Timberwolves won 140-139 in double overtime (Sportskeeda.com).
Below, we explore player stats from the November and April games, with context from the 2024 playoffs.
November 1, 2024: Timberwolves 110, Nuggets 89
Game Overview
Minnesota dominated at home, shooting 47% from the field and limiting Denver to 89 points, their lowest output early in the season (NBA.com). Rudy Gobert’s defense and Anthony Edwards’ scoring overwhelmed a shorthanded Denver squad missing Jamal Murray (hamstring) and Michael Porter Jr. (personal reasons) (ESPN.com).
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats
- Anthony Edwards: 28 points (10/18 FG, 4/8 3P), 6 rebounds, 5 assists. Edwards’ efficiency set the pace (NBA.com).
- Julius Randle: 22 points (8/16 FG), 8 rebounds, 4 assists. Randle’s versatility filled Towns’ role (JonKrawczynski, X).
- Rudy Gobert: 12 points (5/7 FG), 14 rebounds, 2 blocks. Gobert’s rim protection stifled Denver (NBA.com).
- Mike Conley: 10 points (4/9 FG), 7 assists. Conley’s playmaking kept the offense fluid (NBA.com).
- Jaden McDaniels: 8 points (3/8 FG), 5 rebounds, 2 steals. McDaniels’ defense on Jokić was pivotal (NBA.com).
Minnesota’s bench, led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6 points), outscored Denver’s reserves 30-10, highlighting their depth (ESPN.com).
Denver Nuggets Player Stats
- Nikola Jokić: 25 points (9/20 FG, 2/5 3P), 12 rebounds, 8 assists. Jokić led but faced heavy pressure (NBA.com).
- Aaron Gordon: 14 points (6/12 FG), 6 rebounds. Gordon’s athleticism was a highlight (NBA.com).
- Christian Braun: 10 points (4/10 FG, 1/5 3P), 4 rebounds. Braun struggled from deep (NBA.com).
- Russell Westbrook: 8 points (3/10 FG), 5 assists, 3 turnovers. Westbrook’s debut was inefficient (ESPN.com).
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 6 points (2/7 FG), 2 steals. Caldwell-Pope was limited offensively (NBA.com).
Denver’s 34% three-point shooting and 15 turnovers, leading to 20 Minnesota points, underscored their struggles (ESPN.com).
Key Takeaways
Minnesota’s defensive intensity, led by Gobert and McDaniels, and balanced scoring from Edwards and Randle exposed Denver’s lack of depth without Murray and Porter Jr. Jokić’s efforts couldn’t overcome Minnesota’s 47% shooting and bench advantage (NBA.com).
April 1, 2025: Timberwolves 140, Nuggets 139 (2OT)
Game Overview
This double-overtime thriller at Ball Arena was a season highlight, with Minnesota edging Denver 140-139 despite Jokić’s historic performance (Sportskeeda.com). Missing Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo (suspended), Minnesota erased a 16-point first-quarter deficit, sealed by Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s clutch free throws (ESPN.com). Denver again lacked Murray and Porter Jr. (Sportskeeda.com).
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats
- Anthony Edwards: 34 points (12/22 FG, 5/10 3P), 10 rebounds, 8 assists. Edwards’ 13 second-half points were crucial (Sportskeeda.com).
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 15 points (5/9 FG), 2/3 FT in the final 0.1 seconds. His game-winning free throws clinched the win (ESPN.com).
- Julius Randle: 25 points (9/18 FG, 2/5 3P), 9 rebounds, 3 assists. Randle’s second-quarter three gave Minnesota a 39-38 lead (Sportskeeda.com).
- Rudy Gobert: 14 points (6/8 FG), 16 rebounds, 3 blocks. Gobert’s paint presence was dominant (ESPN.com).
- Jaden McDaniels: 12 points (5/10 FG), 4 rebounds, key foul on Jokić in OT. McDaniels’ defense shone (ESPN.com).
Minnesota’s bench outscored Denver’s 40-14, with Alexander-Walker’s clutch play stealing the spotlight (Sportskeeda.com).
Denver Nuggets Player Stats
- Nikola Jokić: 61 points (18/29 FG, 6/11 3P, 19/24 FT), 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 53 minutes. Jokić’s historic triple-double was the first 60-point game of 2024-25 (Sportskeeda.com, SI.com).
- Aaron Gordon: 30 points (12/20 FG), 8 rebounds. Gordon’s early dunk sparked a 21-5 lead (Sportskeeda.com).
- Christian Braun: 18 points (7/13 FG), 5 rebounds. Braun supported Jokić offensively (Sportskeeda.com).
- Russell Westbrook: 12 points (5/12 FG), 6 assists, missed key FT, costly foul. Westbrook’s late errors hurt Denver (ESPN.com).
- Justin Holiday: 6 points (2/6 FG), 2 assists. Holiday had minimal impact (NBA.com).
Denver’s 18/29 field goal shooting from Jokić was offset by Westbrook’s missed free throw and foul, allowing Minnesota’s comeback (ESPN.com).
Key Takeaways
Jokić’s 61-point triple-double made NBA history, but Minnesota’s resilience, led by Edwards’ 34 points and Alexander-Walker’s clutch free throws, secured the win. Gobert’s rebounding and Randle’s versatility countered Denver’s early surge, despite their shorthanded roster (Sportskeeda.com, SI.com).
2024 Western Conference Semifinals: Player Stats Highlights
The 2024 playoffs provide context, with Minnesota defeating Denver 4-3 (Basketball-Reference.com). Key games included:
Game 1 (May 4, 2024): Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
- Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards (43 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists), Karl-Anthony Towns (20 points, 4 rebounds) (ESPN.com).
- Nuggets: Nikola Jokić (32 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists), Michael Porter Jr. (13 points) (ESPN.com).
Game 6 (May 16, 2024): Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70
- Timberwolves: Edwards (27 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists), Towns (10 points, 13 rebounds), Gobert (8 points, 14 rebounds) (ESPN.com).
- Nuggets: Jokić (22 points, 9 rebounds), Jamal Murray (10 points, 5 assists). Denver’s 45-point loss was historic (Wikipedia).
Game 7 (May 19, 2024): Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 90
- Timberwolves: Towns (23 points, 12 rebounds), Edwards (16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists), Gobert (13 points, 9 rebounds) (ESPN.com).
- Nuggets: Jokić (34 points, 19 rebounds, 7 assists), Murray (35 points, 3 rebounds) (ESPN.com).
Minnesota’s defense, led by Gobert and McDaniels, and Edwards’ scoring overwhelmed Denver’s Jokić-Murray duo (Basketball-Reference.com).
Key Players and Trends
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Anthony Edwards: 28-34 points, 6-10 rebounds. Edwards’ seven straight 25+ point games vs. Denver cement his stardom (ESPN.com).
- Julius Randle: 22-25 points, 8-9 rebounds. Randle’s post-Towns impact is undeniable (Sportskeeda.com).
- Rudy Gobert: 12-14 points, 14-16 rebounds, 2-3 blocks. Gobert’s defense is Minnesota’s anchor (NBA.com).
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 6-15 points, clutch in April. The bench’s 40-14 scoring edge is a game-changer (ESPN.com).
Minnesota’s 47% shooting in November and 40-14 bench advantage in April highlight their depth (Sportskeeda.com).
Denver Nuggets
- Nikola Jokić: 25-61 points, with a 61-point triple-double. His three MVPs and historic stats make him elite (SI.com).
- Aaron Gordon: 14-30 points, 6-8 rebounds. Gordon’s consistency is key (Sportskeeda.com).
- Christian Braun: 10-18 points, stepping up without Murray (Sportskeeda.com).
- Russell Westbrook: 8-12 points, but inefficient (8/22 FG combined). Late-game errors hurt (ESPN.com).
Denver’s reliance on Jokić is evident, with Murray and Porter Jr.’s absences exposing depth issues (ESPN.com).
Fantasy and Betting Insights
For NBA Fantasy and FanDuel, Edwards (28-34 points) and Jokić (25-61 points, triple-doubles) are top picks (Sportskeeda.com). Gobert’s 14-16 rebounds and Gordon’s 6-8 rebounds are reliable (NBA.com). Sofascore.com shows Denver’s 40% ATS win rate vs. Minnesota’s 40%, with Minnesota’s +4.5 underdog line in April suggesting tight games (Sofascore.com). Bettors should target Jokić’s over on points and Edwards’ three-point props, but monitor Denver’s injury reports (ESPN.com).
Why These Stats Matter
These stats reveal team identities: Minnesota’s defensive depth and bench scoring vs. Denver’s Jokić-led offense. Edwards’ rise and Randle’s addition make Minnesota a playoff contender, while Jokić’s historic performances keep Denver elite despite injuries (Sportskeeda.com, SI.com). For fans, these stats spotlight stars; for fantasy players, they guide rosters; for bettors, they inform spreads and props (Sofascore.com).
Conclusion
The Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves matchups in the 2024-25 season, notably November 1, 2024 (110-89) and April 1, 2025 (140-139 2OT), underscore a rivalry of star power and resilience. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards (34 points) and Rudy Gobert’s defense, paired with bench heroes like Nickeil Alexander-Walker, powered their wins (Sportskeeda.com). Denver’s Nikola Jokić, with a historic 61-point triple-double, remains a force, but injuries to Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. hindered their efforts (SI.com, ESPN.com). The 2024 playoff upset, driven by Minnesota’s defense, set the tone (Basketball-Reference.com). As both teams chase Northwest Division supremacy, these player stats offer critical insights into their playoff potential, making this rivalry a cornerstone of the 2024-25 NBA season.
FAQS
How did Anthony Edwards perform against the Nuggets in the Timberwolves’ 110-89 win on November 1, 2024?
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 28 points (10/18 FG, 4/8 3P), 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, setting the tone for a dominant defensive performance that held Denver to 34% three-point shooting and 89 points, their lowest of the early season (NBA.com, ESPN.com).
What were the clutch contributions in the Timberwolves’ 140-139 double-overtime win over the Nuggets on April 1, 2025?
Nickeil Alexander-Walker sealed the game with 2/3 free throws with 0.1 seconds left, finishing with 15 points. Nikola Jokić’s 61 points (18/29 FG, 6/11 3P), 10 rebounds, and 10 assists were historic, but Russell Westbrook’s missed free throw and foul in the final seconds cost Denver (Sportskeeda.com, SI.com).
How did Minnesota’s bench impact their victory against the Nuggets on April 1, 2025, despite missing key players?
Without Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota’s bench outscored Denver’s reserves 40-14, with Alexander-Walker’s 15 points and clutch free throws proving decisive. This depth helped overcome a 16-point first-quarter deficit in the 140-139 thriller (ESPN.com, Sportskeeda.com).