The Denver Nuggets’ season came to an unexpected end Thursday night. Despite entering the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, Denver was eliminated in six games by the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, falling 110-98 in Game 6 at Target Center.
The loss ended hopes of a comeback after the Nuggets had cut the series deficit to 3-2 with a Game 5 win.
Minnesota advanced to the Western Conference semifinals despite missing several key players, including Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu, and Kyle Anderson. Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves with 32 points and 10 rebounds, while Terrence Shannon Jr. added 24 in a decisive performance.
After the game, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray addressed his struggles and took responsibility for the outcome.
Jamal Murray Takes Accountability After Denver Nuggets Loss to Minnesota Timberwolves
GettyDenver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray
Murray acknowledged his performance fell short in a critical moment.
“That’s the frustrating part, just not showing up when my team needed me most tonight,” Murray said. “And I felt like if I played a little better, we would have had that game. So it’s just frustrating on my part. I’ll take accountability for it. It was a rough night and they move on.”
“Feel like if I played a little better we would have had that game. It’s just frustrating on my part. l’ll take accountability for it. It was a rough night”
In Game 6, Murray finished with 12 points on 4-of-17 shooting and went 0-for-2 from beyond the arc. His struggles reflected a difficult series overall, as he shot 35.6 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from three-point range.
Murray entered the postseason after one of the best regular seasons of his career, including his first All-Star selection. However, Minnesota’s defense, led by McDaniels, limited his ability to create offense throughout the series.
Denver needed more production from its backcourt in the elimination game, especially given the Timberwolves’ shortened rotation due to injuries. Instead, the Nuggets were unable to generate consistent scoring outside of Nikola Jokić.
Jokić finished with 28 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists, including a strong third quarter in which he scored 14 points. But Denver could not sustain momentum late, failing to score in the final 1:26 as Minnesota pulled away.
Timberwolves Defense and Effort Define Series Outcome
Minnesota’s defensive pressure and physical play were central to the series result.
The Timberwolves consistently disrupted Denver’s offense by crowding ball handlers and limiting space. McDaniels played a key role in containing Murray, while Rudy Gobert anchored the interior defense and protected the rim.
The Timberwolves also controlled key areas, including rebounding and loose balls, creating extra possessions and limiting Denver’s second-chance opportunities.
Even without Edwards, DiVincenzo, and Dosunmu, Minnesota maintained its intensity on both ends. Shannon, who moved into the starting lineup, provided a scoring boost and attacked the paint effectively against Denver’s defense.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, struggled defensively throughout the series. Minnesota scored 64 points in the paint in Game 6, repeatedly exploiting gaps and attacking the rim.
Denver’s defensive issues were consistent with its regular-season performance, where it ranked 21st in the league. The team was unable to compensate for those struggles despite having the NBA’s top-ranked offense.
Late in Game 6, Denver briefly cut the deficit to three points but could not execute offensively down the stretch. Minnesota closed the game with timely plays, including a key sequence from Shannon in the final minutes.
The loss marked just the second first-round exit of Jokić’s career and raised questions about Denver’s roster and defensive identity moving forward.
For Murray, the focus remains on accountability after a series in which he was unable to deliver at his usual playoff level. As he noted, the responsibility lies with the players.
Minnesota now advances to face the San Antonio Spurs in the next round, while Denver turns its attention to the offseason following a disappointing early exit.
Jamal Murray Makes Heartbreaking Admission After Nuggets’ Shocking Playoff Exit