The NBA Playoffs often serve as a battleground where legends are made, and for the 2025 season, the series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets certainly delivered on that front. The two teams faced off in a highly competitive series, with the Timberwolves overcoming a 2-0 deficit to win the series 3-2. Throughout the series, individual player performances played a pivotal role in determining the outcome of each game. This article will dive deep into the key player stats for both teams across the five games, analyzing their impact on the court, and offering insights into what made the Timberwolves’ comeback so extraordinary.
Game 1: Nuggets 115, Timberwolves 70
The series kicked off in Denver, where the Nuggets established their dominance early. The Timberwolves struggled on both ends of the floor, and the performance of key players was less than ideal.
Denver Nuggets Player Stats:
- Nikola Jokić – 29 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists
- Jamal Murray – 21 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds
- Aaron Gordon – 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
- Michael Porter Jr. – 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Nikola Jokić, the reigning MVP, showcased his complete skill set, recording a triple-double with 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. Jamal Murray provided scoring support with 21 points, while Aaron Gordon’s defensive presence and scoring helped solidify the Nuggets’ dominance. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, struggled to keep pace with the high-powered offense of the Nuggets.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats:
- Anthony Edwards – 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
- Rudy Gobert – 9 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks
- Karl-Anthony Towns – 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
- Jaden Ivey – 5 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound
For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards led the team with 18 points, but his efforts were not enough to keep his team competitive. Rudy Gobert’s impact was primarily on the defensive end, but the Timberwolves couldn’t capitalize on his presence. Karl-Anthony Towns struggled, managing just 12 points and six rebounds, failing to provide the offensive spark the Timberwolves desperately needed.
Game 2: Nuggets 112, Timberwolves 97
Game 2 followed a similar pattern, with the Nuggets once again proving to be the superior team. Although the Timberwolves showed more resilience, they still fell short, leaving them in a 2-0 hole in the series.
Denver Nuggets Player Stats:
- Nikola Jokić – 26 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists
- Jamal Murray – 24 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds
- Aaron Gordon – 15 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists
- Michael Porter Jr. – 10 points, 4 rebounds
Jokić continued his dominant form, almost posting another triple-double. Jamal Murray elevated his play, contributing 24 points and 6 assists, while Aaron Gordon’s versatility was crucial to the Nuggets’ success, registering a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats:
- Anthony Edwards – 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
- Rudy Gobert – 10 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks
- Karl-Anthony Towns – 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists
- Jaden Ivey – 9 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
The Timberwolves’ star player, Anthony Edwards, had a strong outing with 22 points, but it was clear that the team as a whole was struggling to find rhythm. Karl-Anthony Towns showed flashes of his talent, scoring 18 points and pulling down 9 rebounds, but the Nuggets’ defense and offensive balance proved too much to overcome. Rudy Gobert was solid on the glass with 11 rebounds but lacked the offensive presence needed to make a significant impact.
Game 3: Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70
The Timberwolves responded dramatically in Game 3, reversing the fortunes of the first two games with a blowout victory. This was the first of three consecutive wins for Minnesota, and it marked a turning point in the series.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats:
- Anthony Edwards – 32 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
- Rudy Gobert – 18 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks
- Karl-Anthony Towns – 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
- Jaden Ivey – 15 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds
In a statement win, Anthony Edwards took over the game with 32 points, leading his team in scoring and contributing significantly in all areas. Rudy Gobert had a monster game, not only scoring 18 points but also pulling down 17 rebounds and blocking 4 shots. Karl-Anthony Towns also found his rhythm, scoring 22 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, contributing to the Timberwolves’ balanced offense.
Denver Nuggets Player Stats:
- Nikola Jokić – 18 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists
- Jamal Murray – 17 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds
- Aaron Gordon – 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
- Michael Porter Jr. – 8 points, 3 rebounds
The Nuggets were outmatched in this game, with Jokić’s performance well below his usual standards. He recorded 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Timberwolves’ surge. Jamal Murray struggled to find his shot, finishing with just 17 points, and Aaron Gordon’s defense and scoring were not enough to stem the tide.
Game 4: Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 90
Game 4 was a tight affair, but the Timberwolves once again managed to outlast the Nuggets, tying the series at 2-2.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats:
- Anthony Edwards – 28 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists
- Rudy Gobert – 14 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks
- Karl-Anthony Towns – 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists
- Jaden Ivey – 10 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds
Anthony Edwards continued his hot streak, pouring in 28 points while facilitating for teammates with 6 assists. Rudy Gobert was once again dominant on the glass, recording 16 rebounds and 14 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a strong double-double performance. The Timberwolves’ defense was also key in holding off the Nuggets’ late-game attempts.
Denver Nuggets Player Stats:
- Nikola Jokić – 24 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists
- Jamal Murray – 19 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds
- Aaron Gordon – 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
- Michael Porter Jr. – 14 points, 5 rebounds
Nikola Jokić continued to put up strong individual numbers, with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Nuggets. Jamal Murray had another solid game with 19 points and 5 assists, but the Nuggets’ offense failed to break through the Timberwolves’ defense when it mattered most.
Game 5: Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 116
In what was a nail-biting finish, the Timberwolves managed to secure the series win in Game 5, with a thrilling 119-116 victory.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats:
- Anthony Edwards – 35 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists
- Rudy Gobert – 16 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks
- Karl-Anthony Towns – 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists
- Jaden Ivey – 8 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
Anthony Edwards was the star once again, scoring 35 points in a clutch performance that ultimately sealed the Timberwolves’ victory. Rudy Gobert contributed with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while Karl-Anthony Towns added a strong 20-point, 10-rebound effort. The Timberwolves’ collective effort, led by their stars, proved too much for the Nuggets in the final game.
Denver Nuggets Player Stats:
- Nikola Jokić – 30 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists
- Jamal Murray – 23 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds
- Aaron Gordon – 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
- Michael Porter Jr. – 19 points, 4 rebounds
Jokić once again delivered an MVP-level performance with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Timberwolves. Jamal Murray had 23 points and 8 assists, but the Nuggets couldn’t execute in key moments. The game was incredibly close, but the Timberwolves’ resilience ultimately earned them the series win.
Conclusion
The Timberwolves’ incredible comeback in this series was marked by outstanding individual performances, especially from Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Edwards, in particular, elevated his game to new heights, while Gobert’s defensive prowess and Towns’ scoring were crucial in sealing the wins. Despite the best efforts of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets couldn’t match the Timberwolves’ intensity and execution in the final three games.
This series will be remembered not only for its dramatic results but for the emergence of a Timberwolves team that showed heart, determination, and star power when it mattered most.
