MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 23: Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket during the game against the Denver Nuggets during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minneso … ( (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images))
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 113-96 Thursday night at Target Center in the NBA Playoffs to take a 2-1 lead in their best of seven series.
While the Timberwolves are known for their stars in Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, their top scorer in Game 3 came off the bench. Ayo Dosunmu scored a game-high 25 points off the bench, shooting 10-of-15 from the field and adding nine assists.
Timberwolves crush Nuggets 113-96, take 2-1 series lead
Monday night, the Timberwolves rallied from 19 points down in Game 2 to beat the Denver Nuggets 119-114 and tie the series 1-1.
Thursday night, the Timberwolves dominated from the opening tip and never took the foot off the gas in a 113-96 win over the Nuggets at Target Center. The Timberwolves lead the Nuggets 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, with Game 4 set for Saturday night. Six players scored in double figures for Minnesota, including all five starters.
The Timberwolves' defense limited the Nuggets to 34% shooting from the field, just 8-of-32 from the perimeter and forced 10 turnovers, with five blocked shots. The Nuggets had just 12 assists on 28 made shots, their fewest assists in a playoff game since 2011.
Jaden McDaniels dunks on Nuggets’ ‘bad defenders’
Jaden McDaniels more than backed up his trash talk Thursday night after he called all of the Denver Nuggets’ players "bad defenders" following their Game 2 win.
Thursday night in Game 3 at Target Center, he effectively put the game away with a transition dunk over Spencer Jones and Nikola Jokic that brought the crowd to its feet. The dunk had players on the Timberwolves’ bench with their jaws wide open. McDaniels then chirped at Jamal Murray.
McDaniels finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in the Game 3 victory.
Timberwolves lead Nuggets 88-68 after 3
The Timberwolves have led the Nuggets by as many as 27 points in Game 3 Thursday night. They have an 88-68 lead as the two teams head to the fourth quarter. Ayo Dosunmu, acquired from the Chicago Bulls before the NBA trade deadline, has 21 points off the bench to lead the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards has 15 points, Jaden McDaniiels has 13 and Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle have 10 points each.
Halftime: Timberwolves crushing Nuggets, 61-39
After starting fast with a 25-11 lead after the first quarter, the Timberwolves kept their foot on the gas and won the second quarter 36-28 to take a commanding 61-39 lead at the half. Adyo Dosunmu had a tea-high 14 points off the bench to lead Minnesota. Jaden McDaniels had 13 points, and Anthony Edwards has 11.
Nikola Jokic has 13 points to lead the Nuggets, but the Timberwolves' aggressive defense is limiting Denver to 31% shooting from the floor, 3-of-15 from the perimeter and they've forced seven turnovers.
Timberwolves lead Nuggets 25-11 after 1
The Timberwolves jumped out of the gates fast Thursday night and took a 25-11 lead after the first quarter. Jaden McDaniels, who called out the Nuggets' defense after Game 2, scored a team-high nine points in the opening frame. Six different players scored in the first quarter.
The Timberwolves started fast, feeding off a sellout crowd at Target Center.
Timberwolves injury updates
The Timberwolves announced before tip-off Thursday night that both Jaylen Clark and Terrence Shannon Jr. are out due to illness. Anthony Edwards, who has been dealing with an ongoing right knee issue, is available and will start. For the Nuggets, key role player Aaron Gordon is out due to a left calf injury, and Peyton Watson is out due to a hamstring injury..
Jaden McDaniels doubles down on ‘bad defenders’ comment
At Timberwolves' shootaround Thursday morning, Jaden McDaniels stood by his Game 2 postgame comments, when he called every Nuggets player "bad defenders."
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Jaden McDaniels doubles down on Nuggets 'bad defenders' comment
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels called the Denver Nuggets "bad defenders" after their Game 2 win. He stood by his comments at shootaround Thursday ahead of Game 3.
He said the Timberwolves need to attack their defense. McDaniels was asked about it Thursday morning at shootaround.
"I don’t know. People have their own discussions, I’m just ready to play tonight and go win Game 3 for real. It’s whatever, it’s the playoffs so that’s probably why. I’m not tripping. You go on your phone, it’s hard not to see it, but it’s whatever. I said what I said," McDaniels said.