On Thursday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves hosted the Denver Nuggets at the Target Center for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.
The Timberwolves won by a score of 113-96.
Ayo Dosunmu led the way with 25 points, three rebounds and nine assists while shooting 10/15 from the field in 32 minutes of playing time.
Real App wrote: “Ayo Dosunmu had the most points off the bench in a playoff game in Timberwolves history.”
Magic Johnson Predicts Winner Of Nuggets-Timberwolves
GettyEarvin “Magic” Johnson discusses the upcoming Los Angeles Lakers‘ season at UCLA Health Training Center on September 20, 2018 in El Segundo, California.
After the game, Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson sent out several posts (via X).
Johnson’ first post: “Last night in the first round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 113-96 to take a 2-1 lead in the Series. The Timberwolves had six guys in double figures led by Ayo Dosunmu with 25 points!”
Johnson’s second post: “I think the Minnesota Timberwolves will win the Series because they are faster, more athletic, and more physical than the Denver Nuggets. Minnesota Center Rudy Gobert has been doing a great job defending one of the best NBA players today – Nikola Jokic!”
Minnesota Center Rudy Gobert has been doing a great job defending one of the best NBA players today – Nikola Jokic!
Timberwolves Right Now
GettyJaden McDaniels #3 and Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on after Game Three of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center on April 23, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 113-96.
The Timberwolves now have a 2-1 lead in the series after winning each of the last two games.
They are the sixth seed after going 49-33 during the regular season.
Game 4 will be on Saturday at the Target Center.
At home, the Timberwolves have gone 27-15 in 42 games.
Joel Moran of Pick a Side wrote: “I apologize Timberwolves fans I should’ve never faded this team. The defense has been insanely good the last two games. It’s ridiculous. Ayo Dosunmu has been awesome since they acquired him and tonight was validating. They can go to the WCF”
Ayo Dosunmu has been awesome since they acquired him and tonight was validating. They can go to the WCF
Nuggets Right Now
GettyNikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets draws a foul against Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter of Game Three of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 23, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 113-96.
The Nuggets are the third seed after going 54-28 during the regular season.
They are 26-16 in the 42 games they have played on the road away from Denver.
Following Game 4, the teams will head back to Denver for Game 5 on Monday night.
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports wrote: “Nikola Jokic has been a disaster. No other way to put it. Rudy Gobert is in his head in the paint. He’s also lost his 3-pointer. Making sloppy passes. Not getting stops on defense. Just a straight up horrible series so far by Jokic.”
The Nuggets are coming off a season where they lost in the second round.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have lost in the Western Conference finals in each of the previous two years.
NBA Legend Magic Johnson Predicts Winner Of Nuggets-Timberwolves Series