The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off a dramatic comeback to defeat the Denver Nuggets 140-139 in double overtime on Tuesday night. The Wolves rallied from a 16-point deficit to sweep the season series, overcoming a historic triple-double performance from reigning MVP Nikola Jokić.
Jokić delivered a career-high 61 points, 21 rebounds, and 15 assists, playing all 53 minutes without leaving the court after halftime. His effort marked the first 60-point triple-double of his career, joining Luka Doncic and James Harden as the only players in NBA history to achieve the feat. Despite his dominance, Jokić’s record-setting night wasn’t enough to secure the win for Denver.
A wild finish marked Minnesota’s victory. With 10 seconds left, Nickeil Alexander-Walker secured a rebound from a missed Russell Westbrook shot, pushed the ball down the court, and found himself in the corner for a potential game-winning three. His attempt drew a foul, and Alexander-Walker calmly sank the decisive free throws.
AN INSTANT CLASSIC DESERVES A WILD FINISH 🚨
Timberwolves get the rebound, push it down court, and draw the foul on the 3PA!
Nickeil Alexander-Walker drills two CLUTCH free throws to secure the win for the Timberwolves 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/CSkEnU1rj9
— NBA (@NBA) April 2, 2025
Anthony Edwards, who struggled early with just 10 points through three quarters, erupted in the fourth and both overtimes to finish with 34 points. After the game, Edwards admired Jokić, saying, “That might’ve been the best game of my life that I’ve been a part of… Nikola Jokić… he might be the best basketball player I’ve ever seen.”
Alexander-Walker and Julius Randle contributed 26 points, and Minnesota showcased a balanced effort with six players scoring in double figures and four dishing out seven or more assists. The game was fiercely contested, featuring 21 lead changes and 13 ties, embodying the intensity of a playoff matchup.
With the win, the Timberwolves hold the 7th spot in the Western Conference, now half a game ahead of the 8th-place Clippers. Despite the loss, the Nuggets remain in 3rd place, narrowly holding a half-game lead over the 4th-place Lakers.
Tuesday’s game was a statement performance for both teams. The Wolves continue their push for a top-six seed, while the Nuggets aim to maintain their position among the Western elite.