Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
Broadcast: ABC (national) / Local: Altitude Sports (Nuggets), Bally Sports North (Timberwolves)
Radio: 92.9 The Ticket (Timberwolves) / Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM / 950 AM (Nuggets)
Team Context
Both teams enter tied at 37-23, sharing the top of the Northwest Division and positioning in the upper tier of the Western Conference (likely 3rd-5th seeds). This is a pivotal late-season clash with direct implications for seeding in a loaded West, where home-court advantage in the playoffs could be decided by a game or two. Denver owns the altitude edge at home, while Minnesota brings elite defense and road grit.
Recent Team Forms
Timberwolves (strong post-break form, approx. 7-3 or better in recent windows): Minnesota has been surging, with Anthony Edwards leading the charge and a top-tier defense holding opponents under 110 PPG in stretches. They recently notched a road win over the Clippers (94-88 on Feb. 26) and have shown resilience on the road. Offense flows through Edwards and interior presence, with improved spacing and transition play fueling a high-efficiency attack.
Nuggets (mixed, 3-2 or similar in last 5; coming off OT loss): Denver dropped a tough 127-121 overtime decision at Oklahoma City on Feb. 27 (Jamal Murray erupted for 39 pts late, Jokic triple-double near-miss). They won convincingly over Boston (103-84 on Feb. 25) but have shown vulnerability in high-scoring affairs. Jokic remains MVP-caliber (28+ PPG, elite rebounding/assists), but injuries and road fatigue have tested depth. Nuggets are 16-11 at home.
Injury Report
Minnesota Timberwolves:
- No major injuries reported (team relatively healthy; key pieces like Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVincenzo expected available).
- Minor notes: Monitor any lingering from recent games, but no significant absences listed.
Denver Nuggets:
- PF Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) — Out (missed recent games; est. return uncertain, possibly post-March 1).
- SF Peyton Watson (hamstring) — Out (extended, est. March 9+).
- SG Tamar Bates (foot) — Out (surgery, longer-term).
- PG Jamal Murray (illness) — Questionable / Expected to Play (dealt with illness but coach expects availability after recent positive updates).
- Other depth pieces (e.g., Jalen Pickett knee) — Out.
Nuggets thin on wings/forwards, relying heavily on Jokic/Murray core.
Series History
Denver leads the 2025-26 season series 3-0 entering this matchup:
- Oct. 27, 2025 (Denver): Nuggets 127-114 Timberwolves (Murray 43 pts explosion).
- Nov. 15, 2025 (Denver): Nuggets 123-112 Timberwolves (Jokic 27 pts).
- Dec. 25, 2025 (Denver): Nuggets 142-138 Timberwolves (OT thriller; Jokic 56 pts masterpiece).
Denver has dominated at home vs. Minnesota this season, averaging high-scoring outputs with Jokic/Murray torching the Wolves’ defense. All-time, Nuggets lead the regular-season series significantly, but games are often competitive and high-event.
Projected Lineups & Player Matchups
Minnesota Timberwolves (Coach: Chris Finch)
Starters
PG Mike Conley / Nickeil Alexander-Walker
SG Anthony Edwards
SF Jaden McDaniels
PF Julius Randle
C Rudy Gobert Key Bench: Donte DiVincenzo, Naz Reid, etc. Key Matchups:
- Edwards vs. Murray/Braun — Ant’s scoring burst and athleticism vs. Denver’s perimeter defense; can exploit mismatches.
- Gobert vs. Jokic — Elite rim protection and rebounding battle; Gobert aims to limit Jokic’s paint dominance and second-chance points.
- Randle/McDaniels versatility — Physicality to switch and contest Jokic’s passes; stretch floor against Denver’s help D.
Denver Nuggets (Coach: David Adelman)
Starters (assuming Murray plays)
PG Jamal Murray (Q)
SG Christian Braun
SF Michael Porter Jr. / depth
PF (Gordon out; rotation shifts)
C Nikola Jokic Key Bench: Russell Westbrook (if rostered), Peyton Watson out impacts wing depth. Key Matchups:
- Jokic vs. Gobert/Randle — Triple-double threat vs. Minnesota’s length; Jokic’s passing could exploit switches.
- Murray vs. Edwards/Conley — Scoring duel; Murray’s hot hand lately vs. Wolves’ perimeter pressure.
- Altitude factor — Denver’s home conditioning vs. Minnesota’s road stamina.
Betting Trends
- Nuggets strong at home vs. Minnesota this season (3-0 SU, high-scoring).
- OVER has hit in all three head-to-heads (averaging 230+ combined).
- Minnesota 5-1 SU in recent windows but struggling ATS lately (2-8 ATS last 10 in some reports).
- Denver 1-4 SU in last 5 Sunday home games (historical note).
- High totals trend in Jokic/Edwards matchups; pace often elevates.
Game Odds
Minnesota Timberwolves 238.5
Denver Nuggets – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, February 28, 2026
