The Timberwolves Reignite Their Rivalry Against the Nuggets

After winning Game Seven against the Denver Nuggets in the 2024 Playoffs, almost every basketball fan was excited about the Minnesota Timberwolves. While they have not been at their best this season, they are still successful in this heated rivalry between two teams from the Northwest Division.

In their two previous matchups in the 2024-25 season, the Timberwolves have two wins to their name. The first game was a tight 119-116 victory for Minnesota, but the second was a 133-104 blowout. Now, the Nuggets are reigning this rivalry, as they look to get their revenge.

The Nuggets Want Their Revenge 

Since their January 25 loss to the Wolves, the Nuggets have a 14-7 record. That is good for seventh in the league during that stretch, but Minnesota is just behind them with a 14-8 record. 

Nikola Jokic has continued to be superb this season leading the Nuggets to title contention. Denver possesses the second seed in the Western Conference because of Jokic's heroics and another MVP-worthy campaign. He is averaging a triple-double of 28.9 points, 13 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game. 

Denver is coming off a big win against the first-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a direct matchup between the two MVP candidates, Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Joker came out on top with a 35-point, 18-rebound, and eight-assist night.

Minnesota must be prepared for this matchup because they need every win in their quest to make the Playoffs. They are currently in the seventh seed just behind the sixth-seeded Golden State Warriors. Since Stephen Curry's team is on a hot streak, it has been hard for the Timberwolves to keep up for that sixth spot.

Anthony Edwards will be the one to watch yet again for the Timberwolves, averaging 31.5 points in the two matchups earlier in the season. The superstar shooting guard is hyped for this game, considering he is playing against the Nuggets again.

Injury Report

Ahead of this game, the Timberwolves are fully healthy after Gobert returned in their previous game against the San Antonio Spurs. This will be a massive boost for coach Chris Finch, who wants a fully healthy team for their race for an outright spot in the NBA Playoffs.

Unfortunately for Denver, they are without Aaron Gordon and Julian Strawther. They will be significant pieces missing for this game, as the Nuggets would want to get their payback from the previous losses in the regular season and the Semi-Finals series a year prior. 

This will be a must-watch game because Denver will come out guns blazing. However, never underestimate this Timberwolves squad, especially when they play against a direct rival.