Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a series-tying 115-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. Jokic scored 16 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, while Aaron Gordon had 27 points on 11-for-12 shooting. Jamal Murray contributed 19 points, with 12 of them coming in the third quarter. The Wolves, led by Anthony Edwards with 44 points, struggled to match the Nuggets’ offensive firepower and were beaten at their own game for the second straight time at home by the defending NBA champions.
The series now goes back to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday night. Despite efforts from Mike Conley, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert, the Wolves were unable to secure a victory at home for a second straight game. Gordon had an impressive shooting performance, missing his first shot of the game with less than four minutes left to play. The Nuggets secured eight points in the final 20 seconds of the first half, including an improbable heave from Murray.
In Game 3, the Wolves suffered a 27-point defeat after coach Chris Finch expressed disappointment in the team’s lack of edge and stamina. Anthony Edwards, the 2020 first overall draft pick, led a charge at the beginning of Game 4, determined to will his team to victory. Despite the Nuggets focusing their defense on Edwards, he had an impressive performance, hitting shots from all over the court. However, the rest of the Wolves struggled to capitalize on opportunities presented to them by the Nuggets’ defense.
The Wolves, who showcased their league-best defense and depth in the first two games of the series, were unable to replicate this success in Game 4. The Nuggets were able to emulate the Wolves’ defensive prowess on the road and capitalized on secondary scorers and bench players hitting their jumpers. Players like Justin Holiday, Christian Braun, and Reggie Jackson contributed to a 26-4 run that established the Nuggets’ dominance in the game. With key players like Gordon performing well from beyond the arc, the Nuggets proved to be a formidable opponent for the Wolves in Game 4.
Despite strong individual performances from players like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Wolves were unable to secure a victory in Game 4. The Nuggets’ offensive firepower, led by Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, proved to be too much for the Wolves to handle. The series is now tied at 2-2, with Game 5 set to take place in Denver. Both teams will look to make adjustments and bring their best game as they vie for a spot in the Western Conference finals.
