Nuggets’ premature celebration that proved to be bad Game 2 omen vs. Timberwolves

When the Denver Nuggets took an early 19-point lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, it looked like they were cruising to a 2-0 series lead. That excitement quickly evaporated, but not before officials in the Ball Arena got a little too excited in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota had stormed back to take the lead with four minutes remaining in the game, but Ball Arena employees accidentally let out an early Nuggets celebration by firing the streamers during a timeout, ClutchPoints’ Rachel Strand reported. The premature celebration only got worse when the Timberwolves went on to secure a 119-114 victory.

Nuggets head coach David Adelman initiated the timeout after a Donte DiVincenzo layup gave the Timberwolves a 110-107 lead. DiVincenzo continued his late-game heroics after the break, hitting a clutch three-pointer and a last-second dunk to secure the comeback upset victory for Minnesota.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double in the thrilling upset. Julius Randle complemented him with an efficient 24 points after being held to just 16 in Game 1.

Jamal Murray remained hot for the Nuggets, dropping a team-high 30 points in the losing effort, while MVP finalist Nikola Jokic flirted with another triple-double, posting 24 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Sixth Man of the Year candidate Tim Hardaway Jr. added 16 points off the bench, hitting all three of his triples.

The Nuggets were outscored 29-21 in the fourth quarter, which ended up being the difference in a five-point game. They were also dominated 39-25 in the second frame after establishing a huge lead in the opening period.

Now tied at one game apiece, the series shifts to the Target Center, where the Timberwolves are now in prime position to take the lead. Denver went 26-15 on the road in the regular season, fifth-best in the league, a trend it can only hope to continue in the postseason to right the ship after its Game 2 blunder.