NBA Western Conference Game 4 Preview: Denver Nuggets (1-2) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1)

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Time: 5:30 PM local (Minneapolis)

Venue: Target Center — Minneapolis, MN

Series: Western Conference First Round — MIN leads 2–1

TEAM RECORDS & RECENT FORM

TeamRecordSeedLast 5 Games
Denver Nuggets54–283rd WestL, L, W, W, W
Minnesota Timberwolves49–336th WestW, W, L, W, W

Minnesota has won Games 2 and 3, both with dominant defensive stretches.

INJURY REPORT

Denver Nuggets

Peyton Watson — OUT (Hamstring), week‑to‑week

Aaron Gordon — GTD (Calf), questionable for April 25

Minnesota Timberwolves

No injuries reported

GAME 3 RECAP — MIN 113, DEN 96

Minnesota’s defense suffocated Denver:

DEN shot 34.1% FG and 8/32 from three

MIN shot 47.3% FG, dominated the glass 53–40, and logged 31 assists

Nikola Jokić: 27 pts, 15 reb, but only 7/26 FG (26.9%)

Minnesota’s physicality and ball movement have been the difference.

KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS

Nikola Jokić (DEN) vs Rudy Gobert (MIN)

Jokić postseason averages: 27.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 10.7 APG

Gobert postseason averages: 11.5 RPG, elite rim protection Gobert has forced Jokić into inefficient nights in Games 2–3.

Jamal Murray (DEN) vs Anthony Edwards (MIN)

Murray: 30.0 PPG in series so far

Edwards: 26.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 4.5 APG Edwards’ two‑way impact has been enormous.

Donte DiVincenzo (MIN) vs Denver’s perimeter defense

DiVincenzo has hit Over 11.5 points in all 3 games, shooting 11/22 from three He’s been a series‑changing X‑factor.

SERIES HISTORY (2026 PLAYOFFS)

Game 1: DEN 116–105 (Denver controlled late)

Game 2: MIN 119–114 (Minnesota steals one on the road)

Game 3: MIN 113–96 (Minnesota dominates at home)

Minnesota has clearly adjusted better since Game 1.

BETTING TRENDS

Minnesota is 26–15 at home, Denver 26–15 on the road — extremely balanced.

Game Odds

Denver Nuggets                                – 1.5

Minnesota Timberwolves            229.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 24, 2026

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