In a game-of-the-year contender late Tuesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves came out on top in Denver during their double-overtime thriller.
This completed a four-game season sweep for Minnesota over the Nuggets.
The Timberwolves and Nuggets continue to match up against each other and deliver some of the most electrifying battles in all of basketball.
After eliminating Denver despite being down 3-2 in last year's Western Conference Semifinals, Minnesota has continued that success against them as a rivalry between the two teams brews.
Since the 2021-22 season, the Timberwolves hold an 11-5 regular-season record over Denver. The Nuggets did eliminate them in five games during the first round of the 2023 postseason, where they were eventually crowned as NBA Champions.
In-game battles between superstars Nikola Jokic and Anthony Edwards have become as entertaining as any matchup in the league. The two stars have utmost respect for one another and continue to leave it all on the floor.
"That might have been the best game of my life, that I've been a part of," Edwards said following Minnesota's 140-139 victory. "Oh my god, he (Nikola Jokic) might be the best basketball player I've ever seen close up, besides myself, to myself."
First thing out of Anthony Edwards postgame:
"That might've been the best game of my life I've been a part of. Nikola Jokic, bruh, oh my God." pic.twitter.com/IIwrAepwO6
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) April 2, 2025
Jokic put together a historic performance despite the loss, finishing Tuesday's game with 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in 53 minutes played. The three-time MVP joined James Harden and Luka Doncic as the only players in league history to post a 60-point triple-double.
"He's a special person and a special player I think in this league," Jokic said when asked about what it means for Edwards to praise him.
Edwards entered the fourth quarter with just 10 points before he exploited Denver's defensive gameplan on him, scoring 24 points in the final quarter of regulation and both overtime periods. The 23-year-old also finished with 10 rebounds and eight assists.
When asked about the Nuggets' defense on him, Edwards explained what adjustment he made to start getting one-on-one matchups and taking over late in the game.
"They adjusted, they played me differently than they usually play me and I told them that," he said. "Nickeil (Alexander-Walker) was making those shots, so I would put Nickeil in my strong corner and they can't help."
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been a dead-eye marksman this season. Shooting 44% on catch-and-shoot threes and hit huge shots last night for Minny.
He's become one of the very best 2-way role players in the league in his sixth season. pic.twitter.com/KAQENOkRLj
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) April 2, 2025
While this is the final regular-season matchup of the year between these two teams, there is still potential that they meet in the postseason for the third straight season as Denver attempts to end Minnesota's streak against them.
If that is the case and the two do match up again, it's safe to say that NBA fans will not be disappointed.
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This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 6:45 PM.