D’Angelo Russell had 14 of 18 points in the first quarter and added 10 assists, Anthony Edwards scored 20, and the Minnesota Timberwolves won 128-98 against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night thanks to two-time MVP Nikola Jokic missed. and three other starts on the second night of back-to-back.
Rudy Gobert had 16 points for Minnesota, who never trailed and held a 20-point advantage in the second quarter on the way to their seventh win in 10 games.
“We were very businesslike,” said Timberwolves coach Chris Finch. “Taken advantage of the opportunity that was there for us. I think we only had three or four turnovers in the first half. This is important to our focus. And I thought we made really good plays.
Along with Jokic (left hamstring tightness), Denver was without Jamal Murray (manage left knee injury), Aaron Gordon (sprained left ankle) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (sprained right ankle), who traveled after playing for the Nuggets. Could not Last night’s 128-108 win at home against Atlanta.
Michael Porter Jr., the only regular starter in the lineup, led Denver with 22 points. Christian Braun added 19 points for the Nuggets. Denver shot just 39.5% from the field and committed 14 turnovers in the first half, trailing by 25 at one point.
Nuggets coach Mike Malone said, “Without four starters, you have to play almost perfect to give yourself a chance.” “Turnovers fueled their breaks, 24 fast-break points. There are just too many breakdowns on both ends of the floor for us to have a chance to be competitive tonight.
Without Jokic and Murray, and opting not to play Bones Highland, Denver did not have a primary ball-handler. Bruce Brown, a reserve swingman, was de facto the point guard. He finished with 16 points and seven assists.
The Nuggets finished with 32 points with a season-high 21 turnovers for Minnesota.
“We’re just playing free and easy, but obviously, sometimes a little too free and a little too easy,” Malone said.
Meanwhile, Minnesota did what it needed to do against the short-handed team, controlling the game from the start.
The Timberwolves went on a 25–5 run through the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second, and never looked back.
“In games like this, you play for the contest,” said Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels, who had 14 points. “So, it just seems like all his starters were out and just playing with aggression.”