Nuggets Vs Timberwolves: Why A 2026 Playoff Rematch Could Be The NBA’s Best Series

The current iteration of this rivalry began in the 2023 playoffs. The top-seeded Nuggets hosted the up-and-coming eighth-seeded Wolves in round one. It was a tale of two stories.

Denver was on the verge of grabbing their first championship. They were fully healthy for the first time since 2021, when Jamal Murray tore his ACL. This team was looking to make up the ground they lost due to the injury bug in 2021 and 2022.

Minnesota, on the other hand, was a promising young team led by third-year man Anthony Edwards. The future was bright, but it was clear that they weren’t true contenders just yet. The Nuggets ended up winning that series in five games and went on to win the title. The goal for the Timberwolves was to just get better each year.

That was exactly what happened. The 2024 playoffs featured these two teams squaring off again in round two. Denver was the two seed and looking to defend their title. Minnesota took a massive leap from the previous year and finished as the third seed.

This series was an absolute war. The Wolves won the first two games in Denver, putting the defending champs on the brink of elimination. The Nuggets then showed the heart of a champion and won three straight to take the 3-2 lead behind Nikola Jokic’s brilliant play.

Minnesota, however, did not panic and won Game Six to force Game Seven. That final game of the series was the moment the Timberwolves had arrived. Edwards and company faced a 20-point deficit on the road against the defending champs and stormed back to win it 98-90. The combination of stifling defense and depth gave them the edge in that war of attrition over the Nuggets.

Fans would appreciate a tiebreaker round. With the way the standings sit at this very moment, that would be the matchup.

Who Would Have The Edge This Year?

That begs the question: if these two teams met again, who would win? The regular season series in the 2025-2026 is 3-1 in favor of Denver, so that’s one notch in their belt. Minnesota, however, knows how to play in the Mile High air.

In the last 10 games played at Ball Arena, the Timberwolves have won seven of them. The Nuggets being fourth right now while Minnesota is fifth, is not really an advantage. They are one of the few teams that have no problem with the attitude as a visitor.

If one team, though, has an edge right now, it would be Denver. By the numbers, the Nuggets right now have a better bench as their second unit averages more points per game. That was a real advantage for the Timberwolves in that 2024 series.

The other wrinkle is Murray’s play. He was not very good in that 2024 playoff series, as he averaged just 18.4 points per game on 40% from the field and 33% from three. The Blue Arrow, this year, though, has had a career year and made his first All-Star team.

Against Minnesota in the 2025-2026 season, Murray has averaged 31.5 points per game on 43% shooting from three. That is a huge leap from what he did in that playoff series. Playoff defense is known to be much more physical than regular-season defense, but his averages wouldn’t drop to 18 again based on how he’s been playing this year.

The Timberwolves had Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the playoff series, who is a tremendous wing defender. He is no longer on the team and was essentially replaced by Bones Hyland, who is not nearly as good a defender but a better offensive player.

That strategy, however, works in the Nuggets’ favor. Attempting to outscore the number one offense in the league won’t fare well for Minnesota.

End Of Denver Nuggets-Minnesota Timberwolves Rant

On paper, the Nuggets have the edge, but it would be foolish to count the Wolves out. They have been a thorn in Denver’s side for years now. If anyone could hand a Jokic and Murray’s first-ever round one loss as a tandem, it would be them.

Neither team would prefer this matchup. I’m sure the Nuggets would prefer playing the Houston Rockets, and the Timberwolves would prefer the Los Angeles Lakers, whom they beat in last year’s playoffs.

In terms of entertainment, nothing would top this, and it would easily be the best first-round series in years of NBA playoffs.