Mile High Sports

Denver Nuggets just keep winning, earn seventh straight victory vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Ryan Blackburn

Nov 15, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) dribbles the ball past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

After losing two starters during the last game, it was going to be interesting to see how the Denver Nuggets responded to a bit of adversity to wrap up their three-game road trip.

Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and the Denver Nuggets fought through a physical game against the Minnesota Timberwolves to win 123-112. They completed a three-game sweep of their road trip with the win and extended their win streak to seven games, an impressive accomplishment at this stage of the year.

With Christian Braun and Cam Johnson out, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Peyton Watson started, providing a nice complement to the Nuggets primary trio. Hardaway was uplifting with his outside shotmaking and veteran savvy. Watson provided tremendous defensive effort and impact against Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves all night. Both were exceptionally helpful as the Nuggets navigated their second game without multiple starters.

Denver got out to a great start tonight in the first quarter, but Minnesota rattled off a late run to take a lead into the second quarter. That continued into the half with Naz Reid scoring all 17 of his points in the first two frames, helping Minnesota out to a 60-55 lead at half.

Then, the Nuggets got going in the third quarter again. They immediately reclaimed the lead with some Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic baskets, combining that with some impressive defense against Anthony Edwards and the T’Wolves.

At that point, the game turned into a slog. Both teams turned it over, missed layups, and played an extremely physical style against each other. It felt like a heavyweight bout with neither team able to gain any separation.

Then, the fourth arrived, and the Nuggets bench gained separation. Again. Murray and Gordon staggered with Jonas Valanciunas, Bruce Brown, and Spencer Jones (whose role expanded for this game as a defensive option on the wing). The Nuggets once again started the fourth quarter well, going up by double digits before Nikola Jokic even got back into the game.

Ultimately, Denver won 123-112, completing an impressive road-trip with a win against a Timberwolves team that had won four games in a row.

It wasn’t a perfect game by any stretch from Denver. Jokic had four shots at half and six turnovers on the game. The Nuggets still struggled to space the floor and draw attention from Jokic in the minutes when Hardaway wasn’t on the perimeter giving them a constant release valve.

Still, Jokic fought through the pressure and had a triple-double. Jamal Murray shot inefficiently but still forced the issue by getting the ball into the paint constantly to create shots for other people.

Hardaway had 20+ points in his starting role. Watson was in double digits primarily on cuts, rebounds, and transition opportunities, similar to Christian Braun’s role. Valanciunas turned on the intensity in the fourth quarter and gave the Nuggets a presence inside right when needed.

And Denver’s defense continues to impress. 52 points allowed in the second half to the T’Wolves was partially due to Minnesota being on the second night of a back-to-back. Denver didn’t make it easy for them though, and all four of Watson, Murray, Gordon, and Bruce Brown had some impressive defensive moments on the perimeter.

The Nuggets will head back to Ball Arena for one game against the Chicago Bulls before going back out on the road next week.

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