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Nuggets–Timberwolves rivalry
Denver Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
First meetingNovember 22, 1989
Nuggets 96, Timberwolves 93[1]
Latest meetingNovember 1, 2024
Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 116[1]
Next meetingJanuary 25, 2025
Statistics
All-time series97–66 (DEN)[1]
Regular season series89–57 (DEN)[1]
Postseason results9–8 (MIN)[1]
Longest win streakDEN, 12 (1994–1996), (2018–2021)
MIN, 8 (2002–2004)[1]
Current win streakMIN W2 [1]
Postseason history[2]

The Nuggets–Timberwolves rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves.[3][4][5]

Following the relocation of the Minneapolis Lakers to Los Angeles, Minnesota was without an NBA team until the 1989 season. The NBA granted one of its four new expansion teams to original owners Harvey Ratner and Marv Wolfenson,[6] leading to the establishment of the Timberwolves for the 1989 season.[7] The Timberwolves were placed in the Midwest Division, where they competed alongside the Denver Nuggets.[8] While the two teams had a playoff meeting in 2004, their rivalry did not truly intensify until the 2020s. During this period, the Nuggets and Timberwolves frequently clashed for the divisional title and in the playoffs.[9][10]

History

2004: First playoff meeting

In the 2003 season, the Timberwolves were still in search of their first playoff series victory, despite their consistent playoff appearances for seven consecutive seasons.[11] To overcome this obstacle, they made a significant trade for Latrell Sprewell, a 4-time All-Star guard, and Sam Cassell.[12] These two players, along with the All-Star Kevin Garnett, played a crucial role in leading the Timberwolves to secure the number one seed in the Western Conference, marking a historic first for the franchise.[13] On the other hand, the Nuggets were determined to put an end to their eight-year postseason absence.[14] Led by the newly drafted Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets finished with a 43–39 record, securing the eighth seed and marking their return to the playoffs for the first time since the 1995 season.[15] In the first playoff meeting in the rivalry, the top-seeded Timberwolves easily defeated the eight-seed Nuggets 4 games to 1, marking the Timberwolves first playoff series win in franchise history.[16]

2017: Play-in game to end a postseason drought

In the 2017 NBA season, the Timberwolves aimed to end a thirteen-year postseason drought,[11] while the Nuggets were looking to break a four-year playoff drought.[14] On April 9, 2018, both teams had matching records of 46–35, leading to a decisive showdown on April 11. The victor would secure the last playoff spot, while the defeated team would be eliminated from contention.[17]

In the first final-day play-in game in the NBA in 21 years, the Timberwolves held a lead of 10 points in the second quarter. With 4:26 remaining in regulation, PG Jeff Teague's 3-pointer extended their lead to 99–91. However, the Nuggets mounted a comeback, going on a 10–2 run to tie the game at 101-101 and force overtime. In the extra period, the Nuggets took a 106–105 lead, but then the Timberwolves shut out the Nuggets to secure a 112–106 victory. This win ended their thirteen-year postseason drought, eliminated the Nuggets, and marked their return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2003 season.[18]

2020s: Rivalry intensifies

In the 2020 season, the Timberwolves decided to dismiss HC Ryan Saunders and appointed assistant HC Chris Finch as their new head coach. Before this role, Finch served as an associate HC for the Nuggets during the 2016–2017 season.[19] In the 2022 season, the Timberwolves secured Tim Connelly as their president, signing him to a lucrative 5-year, $40 million contract. Connelly assumed the same position he held with the Nuggets.[20] To fill the void left by Connelly in the front office, the Nuggets promoted Calvin Booth, who had been recruited from the Timberwolves in 2017.[3][21]

Despite acquiring Rudy Gobert in the offseason and aiming for a championship, the Timberwolves faced significant struggles in the 2022 NBA season. Although their defense performed adequately, ranking 10th out of 30 teams in Def Rtg, their offense struggled to generate points, scoring only 113.3 points per 100 possessions, placing them 23rd among all teams. Consequently, they faced difficulties in consistently winning games.[22] This resulted in many sports analysts and fans labeling them as one of the most disappointing teams of that season.[23][24][25] On the other hand, the Nuggets excelled throughout the season, clinching the best record in the Western Conference at 53-29 for the first time in franchise history.[26] The Timberwolves managed to secure a 42–40 record, earning a spot in the play-in tournament. After losing to the Los Angeles Lakers but defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, they made it to the playoffs as the 8th seed, setting up a playoff series against the top-seeded Nuggets.[27] The Timberwolves managed to prevent a sweep in the 2023 playoffs by winning game 4 during overtime. However, the Nuggets maintained their dominance throughout the series, ultimately winning 4 out of the 5 games.[28] The Nuggets went on to win in the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, clinching their first NBA Finals championship in franchise history after 47 seasons in the NBA.[29]

The Nuggets began the 2023 season as the defending champions, while the Timberwolves rebounded from a disappointing previous season and emerged as stronger contenders. Throughout the season, these two teams, along with the Oklahoma City Thunder, battled for the Northwest divisional title.[30][31] In the final game of the season, all three teams had identical 56–25 records and were in contention for the Northwest division title.[32] The Thunder and Nuggets emerged victorious in their games, while the Timberwolves suffered a defeat. As a result of tiebreakers, the Thunder claimed the division title, with the Nuggets and Timberwolves securing the 2nd and 3rd seeds, respectively.[33] In the 2024 playoffs, the Timberwolves achieved their first-ever franchise sweep, and their first playoff series win in 20 years by defeating the Phoenix Suns,[34] while the Nuggets emerged victorious over the Los Angeles Lakers.[35] This paved the way for an exciting playoff series between the two teams in the Semifinals.[36][37]

2024 Western Conference Semifinals

The Timberwolves were off to a strong start in Denver, securing victories in the first two games with a defensive display and Anthony Edwards consistently scoring over 20 points in each match.[38] However, the Nuggets swiftly retaliated by claiming victory in the subsequent two games held in Minneapolis.[39] As the series returned to Denver for the fifth game, Nikola Jokić's remarkable 40-point performance propelled the Nuggets to victory, granting them a three-game winning streak and the lead in the series.[40] In game six in Minneapolis, the Timberwolves delivered a dominant performance against the defending champions, ultimately emerging victorious with a resounding 115–70 scoreline. The Nuggets suffered their third-largest defeat in history, matching a 45-point margin.[41] The series was deadlocked at 3-3, leading to a decisive game 7 in Denver.[42] During the seventh game, the Timberwolves were behind by 20 points in the 3rd quarter, with a score of 58–38. Despite the deficit, they managed to go on a 28–9 run, reducing the gap to 67–66 by the end of the quarter. The Timberwolves seized and maintained the lead, ultimately triumphing 98–90. For the Timberwolves, this victory marked the largest comeback (20 points) in game 7 history, eliminated the reigning champions Nuggets, and advanced them to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 2003 season.[43] When asked on if he feels there is a budding rivalry between themselves and Minnesota. Jokic responded "I think they're built to beat us."[44]

Season-by-season results

Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Season-by-Season Results
1989–1990s (Nuggets 30–20)
Season Season series at Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves Overall series Notes
1989–90 Nuggets 5–0 Nuggets, 3–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets
5–0 		Minnesota Timberwolves join the NBA as an expansion team and are placed in the Western Conference and the Midwest Division, becoming divisonal rivals with the Nuggets.
This marks the return of an NBA team based in Minnesota since the 1959–60 Minneapolis Lakers.
1990–91 Nuggets 3–2 Nuggets, 3–0 Timberwolves, 2–0 Nuggets
8–2
1991–92 Timberwolves 3–2 Tie 1–1 Timberwolves, 2–1 Nuggets
10–5
1992–93 Nuggets 3–2 Nuggets, 3–0 Timberwolves, 2–0 Nuggets
13–7
1993–94 Nuggets 4–1 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets, 2–1 Nuggets
17–8
1994–95 Nuggets 6–0 Nuggets, 3–0 Nuggets, 3–0 Nuggets
23–8
1995–96 Nuggets 4–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets
27–8 		Nuggets win 12 games in a row against the Timberwolves. Kevin Garnett makes his debut for the Timberwolves.
1996–97 Timberwolves 4–0 Timberwolves, 2–0 Timberwolves, 2–0 Nuggets
27–12 		Timberwolves sweep the season series for the first time.
1997–98 Timberwolves 3–1 Tie, 1-1 Timberwolves, 2–0 Nuggets
28–15
1998–99 Timberwolves 3–0 Timberwolves, 2–0 Timberwolves, 1–0 Nuggets
28–18
1999–2000 Tie 2–2 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
30–20
2000s (Nuggets, 24–21)
Season Season series at Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves Overall series Notes
2000–01 Tie 2–2 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
32–22
2001–02 Tie 2–2 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
34–24
2002–03 Timberwolves 4–0 Timberwolves, 2–0 Timberwolves, 2–0 Nuggets
34–28
2003–04 Timberwolves 3–1 Tie, 1-1 Timberwolves, 2–0 Nuggets
35–31 		Timberwolves win 8 games in a row against the Nuggets. Carmelo Anthony makes his debut for the Nuggets.
2004 Western Conference First Round Timberwolves 4–1 Tie, 1-1 Timberwolves, 3–0 Nuggets
36–35 		1st postseason series.
2004–05 Tie 2–2 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
38–37 		Nuggets and Timberwolves are placed in the newly formed Northwest Division.
2005–06 Nuggets 3–1 Nuggets, 2–0 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
41–38
2006–07 Tie 2–2 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
43–40 		Kevin Garnett traded to the Boston Celtics after this season.
2007–08 Nuggets 4–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets
47–40
2008–09 Nuggets 4–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets
51–40
2009–10 Nuggets 3–1 Tie, 1-1 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets
54–41 		Nuggets win 10 games in a row against the Timberwolves.
2010s (Nuggets, 28–12)
Season Season series at Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves Overall series Notes
2010–11 Nuggets 4–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets
58–41 		Carmelo Anthony traded to the New York Knicks between the third and final game of this series.
2011–12 Nuggets 3–1 Nuggets, 2–0 Tie, 1-1 Nuggets
61–42
2012–13 Tie 2–2 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
63–44
2013–14 Tie 2–2 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
65–46
2014–15 Nuggets 3–1 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets
68–47 		Kevin Garnett traded back to Timberwolves before the final game of the series.
2015–16 Nuggets 3–1 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets
71–48 		Nikola Jokić makes his debut for the Nuggets. Karl-Anthony Towns makes his debut for the Timberwolves. Kevin Garnett retires after the season.
2016–17 Tie 2–2 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
73–50
2017–18 Timberwolves 3–1 Tie, 1–1 Timberwolves, 2–0 Nuggets
74–53 		Timberwolves have the better record at home in the regular season for the first time since the 2003 season.
In the last game of the season that determined who goes to the playoffs, Timberwolves defeat the Nuggets 112–106 in overtime, snapping a thirteen-season playoff drought and eliminating the Nuggets from the playoffs.
2018–19 Nuggets 4–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets
78–53
2019–20 Nuggets 4–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets
82–53
2020s (Nuggets, 13–10)
Season Season series at Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves Overall series Notes
2020–21 Nuggets 3–0 Nuggets, 1–0 Nuggets, 2–0 Nuggets
85–53 		Anthony Edwards makes his debut for the Timberwolves.
2021–22 Timberwolves 3–1 Timberwolves, 2–0 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
86–56 		Nuggets win 12 games in a row against the Timberwolves.
Timberwolves finish with a winning record in Denver for the first time since the 2002–03 season.
2022–23 Tie 2–2 Nuggets, 2–0 Timberwolves, 2–0 Nuggets
88–58
2023 Western Conference First Round Nuggets 4–1 Nuggets, 3–0 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
92–59 		2nd postseason series.
Nuggets go on to win 2023 NBA Finals.
2023–24 Tie 2–2 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Nuggets
94–61
2024 Western Conference Semifinals Timberwolves 4–3 Timberwolves, 3–1 Nuggets, 2–1 Nuggets
97–65 		3rd postseason series.
In game 7, Timberwolves pull off the biggest comeback (20 points) in game 7 history to defeat the Nuggets. Karl-Anthony Towns traded to the New York Knicks after the season.
2024–25
Summary of Results
Season Season series at Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves Notes
Regular season games Nuggets Nuggets, 89–56 Nuggets, 48–24 Nuggets, 41–32
Postseason games Timberwolves 9–8 Nuggets, 5–4 Timberwolves, 5–3
Postseason series Timberwolves 2–1 Tie, 1–1 Timberwolves, 1–0 Western Conference First Round: 2004, 2023
Western Conference Semifinals: 2024
Regular and postseason Nuggets Nuggets, 97–65 Nuggets, 53–28 Nuggets, 44–37

See also

References

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