PREVIEW: Timberwolves Meet Nuggets in NBA Playoffs First Round

MINNEAPOLIS (KVRR) – The word gets thrown around often in today’s NBA, but this time it actually fits.

“This is a rivalry,” said Anthony Edwards. “I don’t think there’s anything else to call it.”

When the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets share the floor, it rarely disappoints. Physical, emotional, tactical—often all at once. Since the start of the 2022–23 season, no two Western Conference teams have seen more of each other. And through 28 matchups in that span, neither side has blinked: 14 wins apiece.

“Yeah, for sure,” Edwards added. “I think me and Denver is one of them.”

That edge only sharpened in the postseason. In 2024, Minnesota broke through with a grueling seven-game series win over Denver, sending the franchise to its first Western Conference Finals in two decades.  The following season, Minnesota once again reached the Western Conference Finals as a six seed. Now, this season Minnesota once again enters as a sixth seed.

The challenge in front of them hasn’t gotten any easier.

Denver enters the series as one of the most efficient offensive teams in basketball, leading the league in scoring while ranking top three in both field goal and three-point percentage. And at the center of everything is Nikola Jokic, who continues to redefine what dominance looks like. Averaging 28 points per game while leading the league in both rebounds and assists, Jokic remains the engine—and the puzzle.

“It’s going to be a lot of those two,” Edwards said, referring to Jokic and Jamal Murray. “Just getting familiar with their plays… working on different coverages… getting ready.”

Minnesota head coach Chris Finch knows there’s no single answer.

“We do have a variety of ways of guarding him,” Finch said. “Some are obvious, some are more subtle. It’s something we’ve had to figure out along the way.”

Much of that responsibility will fall on Julius Randle, who offered a candid—and slightly humorous—assessment of the task ahead.

“Probably got to call God… ask him for a few favors,” Randle said. “It’s going to take a little bit of everything.”

Randle’s role goes far beyond defense. As Minnesota’s secondary scoring option, his ability to produce consistently could swing the series. A year ago, his playoff performance helped fuel the Wolves’ deep run. Replicating that form is essential.

“It’s the basketball you live for,” Randle said. “Just trusting your work… trusting the game plan.”

Of course, everything ultimately circles back to Edwards.

After missing time late in the regular season with a knee injury, he insists he’s ready. But more important than health, he says, is mindset.

“Never get too high, never get too low,” Edwards said. “That’s the main thing.”

Denver will test that discipline. Double teams, traps, shifting coverages—nothing new for Edwards, who believes he’s seen it all.

“They’re going to put two, three on the ball,” he said. “I just got to make the right play.”

That trust extends to teammates like Jaden McDaniels, who is coming off a career-best regular season and could be a key X-factor on both ends of the floor.

“We’re telling him, just go be you,” Edwards said. “Any shot [Jaden] takes is a good shot.”

Despite their recent success, the Timberwolves enter the series as underdogs. It’s a label they’re not only comfortable with—but one they seem to embrace.

“If that’s the case, good,” Randle said. “That’s when we got our best.”

All signs point to another chapter in what has quickly become one of the NBA’s most compelling matchups.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets — First Round Schedule (all times Eastern)

Game 1: Sat., April 18, at Denver (3:30 p.m., Prime Video)
Game 2: Mon., April 20, at Denver (10:30 p.m., NBC/Peacock)
Game 3: Thu., April 23, at Minnesota (9:30 p.m., Prime Video)
Game 4: Sat., April 25, at Minnesota (8:30 p.m., ABC)
*Game 5: Mon., April 27, at Denver (TBD)
*Game 6: Thu., April 30, at Minnesota (TBD)
*Game 7: Sat., May 2, at Denver (TBD)