After losing to the Denver Nuggets in each of the last two postseasons, the Minnesota Timberwolves see the Nuggets as one of their biggest rivals in the Western Conference, and for good reason. Nikola Jokic and Anthony Edwards are two of the best players in the league, although the gulf between the two players and the two teams are quite vast.
On Tuesday, the Nuggets will host the Timberwolves in their fourth and final matchup of the season. Unlike in the last two years, the Wolves seem to have Denver's number, beating them in all three prior matchups.
However, the Wolves will be very shorthanded in this matchup.
After the brawl that marred the Timberwolves' last game against the Deteoit Pistons, the NBA handed out suspensions to five players, including Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid. Both players play critical roles for the Wolves, especially on offense, and their absence should be enough to give Denver a leg up.
Only Julian Strawther and DaRon Holmes II are guaranteed to miss the game for the Nuggets, who are just a game and a half back behind the Houston Rockets for the second seed in the West. If Denver can wrestle that spot away, there is a very real chance they will face the Play-In bound Wolves in the first round.
However, Minnesota is only a half-game behind the Golden State Warriors for the sixth seed, which would allow them to miss the Play-In entirely and not have to face their foe in the first round, at least.
Related: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray's Injury Status for Timberwolves-Nuggets
After factoring in the suspensions, the Nuggets enter the game as 3.5-point favorites, according to FanDuel.
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This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 1:24 PM.