Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Match Player Stats: 2024-25 Season Breakdown

The Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets rivalry has been a highlight of the 2024-25 NBA season fueled by their intense 2024 Western Conference Semifinals and blockbuster roster changes. With stars like Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokić leading their teams, these matchups showcase elite talent and strategic battles. This comprehensive, SEO-optimized article dives into player stats from key 2024-25 regular season games, including November 1, 2024, and April 1, 2025, as well as insights from the 2024 playoffs. Drawing from sources like NBA.com, ESPN.com, Sportskeeda.com, and posts on X, we provide a detailed guide for fans, fantasy players, and analysts to understand the performances driving this Northwest Division rivalry.

Rivalry Context and 2024-25 Matchups

The Timberwolves and Nuggets have a storied history, with Denver leading the all-time regular season series 89-60 across 149 games (landofbasketball.com). Their 2024 Western Conference Semifinals went to seven games, with Minnesota’s 98-90 Game 7 upset ending Denver’s title defense (ESPN.com). The 2024-25 season saw roster shifts: Minnesota traded Karl-Anthony Towns to New York for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, while Denver acquired Russell Westbrook (Wikipedia). These changes set the stage for thrilling regular season clashes.

The teams met three times in the 2024-25 regular season (NBA.com, Sofascore.com):

• November 1, 2024, at Target Center (Minnesota): Timberwolves won 110-89.
• January 25, 2025, at Ball Arena (Denver): Outcome not detailed in sources, scheduled for 1:00 PM MT (StatMuse.com).
• April 1, 2025, at Ball Arena (Denver): Timberwolves edged out Nuggets 140-139 in double overtime (Sportskeeda.com).

Below, we analyze 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 holding Denver to 89 points, their lowest of the early season (NBA.com). The Timberwolves’ defense, led by Rudy Gobert, stifled Denver’s offense, while Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle powered the attack. Denver struggled without 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’ scoring set the tone (NBA.com).
• Julius Randle: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists. Randle’s versatility filled Towns’ void (X post).
• Rudy Gobert: 12 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks. Gobert’s rim protection was key (NBA.com).
• Mike Conley: 10 points, 7 assists. Conley’s playmaking stabilized the offense (X post).
• Jaden McDaniels: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals. McDaniels’ defense on Nikola Jokić was crucial (NBA.com).

Minnesota’s bench, including Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6 points), outscored Denver’s reserves 30-10, showcasing depth (ESPN.com).

Denver Nuggets Player Stats

• Nikola Jokić: 25 points (9/20 FG), 12 rebounds, 8 assists. Jokić led but faced heavy defensive pressure (NBA.com).
• Aaron Gordon: 14 points, 6 rebounds. Gordon’s athleticism was a bright spot (X post).
• Christian Braun: 10 points, 4 rebounds. Braun struggled from three (1/5) (NBA.com).
• Russell Westbrook: 8 points, 5 assists. Westbrook’s debut was inefficient (3/10 FG) (ESPN.com).
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 6 points, 2 steals. Limited offensively (NBA.com).

Denver’s 34% three-point shooting and 15 turnovers hindered their comeback (ESPN.com). The absence of Murray and Porter Jr. left Jokić isolated.

Key Takeaways

Minnesota’s defensive intensity and balanced scoring overwhelmed a shorthanded Denver. Edwards’ efficiency and Gobert’s paint presence exposed Denver’s lack of depth, while Jokić’s efforts couldn’t close the gap (NBA.com).

April 1, 2025: Timberwolves 140, Nuggets 139 (2OT)

Game Overview

This double-overtime thriller at Ball Arena was an instant classic, with Minnesota outlasting Nikola Jokić’s historic performance (Sportskeeda.com). The Timberwolves, without Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo (suspended), overcame a 16-point first-quarter deficit to win 140-139, sealed by Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s clutch free throws (ESPN.com). Denver missed Murray and Porter Jr. again (Sportskeeda.com).

Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats

• Anthony Edwards: 34 points (12/22 FG, 5/10 3P), 7 rebounds, 6 assists. Edwards’ scoring led Minnesota (Sportskeeda.com).
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 15 points, 2/3 FT in final seconds. His game-winning free throws were decisive (ESPN.com).
• Julius Randle: 25 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists. Randle’s three-point shooting (noted in second quarter) shifted momentum (Sportskeeda.com).
• Rudy Gobert: 14 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks. Gobert anchored the defense (X post).
• Jaden McDaniels: 12 points, 4 rebounds, foul on Jokić in OT. McDaniels’ defense was critical (ESPN.com).

Minnesota’s bench outscored Denver’s 40-14, with Alexander-Walker’s clutch play stealing the show (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 in 2024-25 (Sportskeeda.com, SI.com).
• Aaron Gordon: 30 points, 8 rebounds. Gordon’s dunk sparked Denver’s early lead (Sportskeeda.com).
• Christian Braun: 18 points, 5 rebounds. Braun contributed offensively (Sportskeeda.com).
• Russell Westbrook: 12 points, 6 assists, missed key FT. Westbrook’s late foul cost Denver (ESPN.com).
• Justin Holiday: 6 points, 2 assists. Limited impact (NBA.com).

Denver’s 18/29 field goal shooting from Jokić couldn’t overcome Minnesota’s bench and clutch execution (ESPN.com).

Key Takeaways

Jokić’s career-high 61 points made NBA history, but Minnesota’s resilience, led by Edwards and Alexander-Walker, secured the win. Gobert’s rebounding and Randle’s versatility countered Denver’s early surge, highlighting Minnesota’s depth despite absences (Sportskeeda.com).

2024 Western Conference Semifinals: Player Stats Highlights

The 2024 playoffs set the stage for the 2024-25 matchups, 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), 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 defensive dominance, led by Gobert and McDaniels, and Edwards’ scoring overwhelmed Denver (Basketball-Reference.com).

Key Players and Trends

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Anthony Edwards: Averaging 28-34 points, Edwards is Minnesota’s offensive engine (Sportskeeda.com).
• Julius Randle: Post-trade, Randle’s 22-25 points and rebounding add versatility (X post).
• Rudy Gobert: 12-16 rebounds and 2-3 blocks anchor the defense (NBA.com).
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Clutch scoring (15 points in April) boosts the bench (ESPN.com).

Minnesota’s 40-14 bench scoring edge in April and defensive intensity (holding Denver to 89 points in November) are strengths (Sportskeeda.com).

Denver Nuggets

• Nikola Jokić: 25-61 points, with a historic 61-point triple-double, makes him a three-time MVP (SI.com).
• Aaron Gordon: 14-30 points, consistent rebounding (Sportskeeda.com).
• Christian Braun: 10-18 points, stepping up in absences (NBA.com).
• Russell Westbrook: 8-12 points, but inefficient shooting and costly mistakes (ESPN.com).

Denver’s reliance on Jokić is evident, with injuries to Murray and Porter Jr. exposing depth issues (ESPN.com).

Fantasy and Betting Insights

For NBA Fantasy and FanDuel, Edwards (28-34 points) and Randle (22-25 points) are top Timberwolves picks, while Gobert’s rebounds are reliable (Sportskeeda.com). Jokić’s 61-point outburst and consistent triple-doubles make him a must-have for Denver (SI.com). Sofascore.com notes Denver’s 40% ATS win rate vs. Minnesota’s 40%, with Minnesota favored in close games (e.g., April’s 140-139) (Sofascore.com). Bettors should watch Denver’s injury reports, as Murray and Porter Jr.’s absences tilt odds (ESPN.com).

Why These Stats Matter

Player stats from these games reveal team dynamics: Minnesota’s defensive prowess and bench depth vs. Denver’s Jokić-centric offense. Edwards’ emergence and Randle’s addition make Minnesota a playoff threat, while Jokić’s historic performances keep Denver competitive despite injuries (Sportskeeda.com). For fans, these stats highlight stars; for fantasy players, they guide roster choices; for bettors, they inform wagering strategies (Sofascore.com).

Conclusion

The Timberwolves vs. Nuggets matchups in the 2024-25 season, including November 1, 2024, and April 1, 2025, games, underscore a rivalry defined by star power and tactical battles. Minnesota’s defensive dominance, led by Gobert and Edwards’ 34-point outbursts, secured wins like the 110-89 rout and 140-139 thriller (Sportskeeda.com). Denver’s Jokić, with a historic 61-point triple-double, remains a force, but injuries to key players limited their consistency (SI.com). The 2024 playoff upset set the tone, with Minnesota’s depth prevailing (ESPN.com). As both teams vie for Northwest Division supremacy, these player stats offer insights into their playoff potential, making this rivalry a must-watch in 2025.

Final Thought

The Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets 2024-2025 NBA season clashes, from the 110-89 rout to the 140-139 double-overtime epic, crystallized a rivalry fueled by Anthony Edwards’ electrifying scoring and Nikola Jokić’s historic 61-point triple-double. Minnesota’s defensive depth edged Denver’s star-driven offense, setting the stage for a thrilling playoff rematch.

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