When Nikola Jokic grabbed his 11th assist with 2:14 left in the fourth quarter, the Denver Nuggets didn’t just seal a win—they extended their dominance in the Western Conference. On Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Target Center in Minneapolis, the Nuggets outlasted the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-112, not with a blowout, but with cold-blooded poise. Jokic finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, his 18th career triple-double and the third this season. It wasn’t just him, though. Tim Hardaway Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray each dropped 23 points, turning Denver’s offense into a symphony of balance. Meanwhile, Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards fought hard for Minnesota, each scoring 26, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Nuggets’ momentum. This was their seventh straight win—and it wasn’t pretty. It was precise.
The Second Half Surge That Broke the Game
The Timberwolves led 60-55 at halftime, buoyed by Edwards’ explosive drives and Randle’s physical post play. But something shifted in the third quarter. Denver’s defense tightened. The Nuggets forced six turnovers in 12 minutes, turning them into 11 fast-break points, according to the game highlights posted by CBS Sports. Jokic, playing like a chess master, began directing traffic from the high post—finding cutters, swinging the ball to open shooters, and occasionally dropping in mid-range jumpers that looked effortless. By the end of the quarter, Denver had outscored Minnesota 32-24. The lead flipped. The crowd, once raucous, fell silent.A Rivalry Rekindled
These two teams have become playoff-caliber rivals in just three years. They met in the postseason in 2023 and 2024, with the Timberwolves winning both series. But this season? Everything’s different. Denver swept the regular-season matchups, including a 127-114 win in Minneapolis back in October, when Edwards and Jaylen Clark were sidelined. Now, with both teams healthy, the narrative has flipped. The Nuggets are 2-0 against Minnesota this season. The Timberwolves, who entered the game on a four-game winning streak, are suddenly reeling. Head coach Chris Finch of Eastbourne, England, admitted after the game that his team “couldn’t match their rhythm.” Meanwhile, Denver’s head coach Michael Malone from Queens, New York, praised his team’s “discipline under pressure.”Who’s Carrying the Load?
Jokic is the engine, but he’s not the only one. Hardaway Jr., often overlooked in All-Star conversations, has become Denver’s most reliable perimeter threat. Gordon, the defensive anchor, added seven rebounds and three steals. Murray, coming off a minor hamstring strain, looked sharper than ever—hitting tough mid-range jumpers and driving through traffic. On Minnesota’s side, Karl-Anthony Towns was present but quiet, finishing with just 12 points and five rebounds. Bench players like Bruce Brown for Denver and Jaylen Nowell for Minnesota made key plays, but neither team’s reserves could swing the tide. The Nuggets’ depth, especially with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Michael Porter Jr. providing defensive stability, is becoming a defining trait.
What This Means for the West
With a 10-2 record, Denver now sits atop the Northwest Division and is tied for the best record in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves, at 8-5, remain competitive but are no longer the division’s top dog. The Nuggets’ seven-game streak is the longest in the NBA this season. No other team has won more than five in a row. This isn’t a fluke. It’s a statement. Jokic, the three-time MVP, is averaging 26.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 8.4 assists through 12 games—numbers that haven’t been seen since Oscar Robertson’s prime. And he’s doing it with fewer shots than ever, relying on movement, timing, and unselfishness. The NBA has seen great centers. Jokic is rewriting the definition.What’s Next?
The Nuggets host the Chicago Bulls on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The Timberwolves welcome the Dallas Mavericks to Target Center on the same night. Both teams have playoff aspirations, but Denver’s rhythm is unmistakable. The question isn’t whether they’ll make the playoffs—it’s how far they’ll go. And with Jokic playing like this, the answer might be farther than anyone expects.
Behind the Numbers
- Denver Nuggets record: 10-2 (1st in Northwest Division)- Minnesota Timberwolves record: 8-5 (3rd in Northwest Division)
- Jokic’s triple-double stats: 27 PTS, 12 REB, 11 AST
- Fast break points: Nuggets 11, Timberwolves 7
- Turnovers forced: Nuggets 14, Timberwolves 11
- Home arenas: Ball Arena (Denver, 19,520 seats), Target Center (Minneapolis, 17,954 seats)
- Previous meeting: Nuggets won 127-114 on October 29, 2025, in Minneapolis
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jokic’s performance compare to other NBA centers this season?
Nikola Jokic is the only center in the NBA averaging over 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists this season. No other big man has recorded three triple-doubles in November alone. His efficiency—62% field goal shooting—is unmatched among players with his volume. He’s the only player since Wilt Chamberlain to lead the league in both scoring and assists in the same season, and he’s on pace to do it again.
Why has Denver been so dominant against Minnesota this season?
Denver’s ball movement and Jokic’s ability to draw double teams have exposed Minnesota’s defensive gaps. The Timberwolves rely heavily on Edwards and Randle to create offense, but Denver’s rotations—led by Gordon and Caldwell-Pope—consistently cut off driving lanes. Plus, Denver’s bench depth, particularly Bruce Brown and Aaron Gordon’s versatility, has neutralized Minnesota’s second-unit advantages from last season.
What impact does this win have on Denver’s playoff seeding?
With a 10-2 record, the Nuggets are tied for the best in the West and hold the tiebreaker over the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder. A top-two seed is now within reach. If they maintain this pace, they could avoid the first-round matchup with the Lakers or Warriors, potentially setting up a conference finals rematch with the Timberwolves—this time with Denver as the higher seed.
Is this the best Nuggets team ever?
Statistically, yes. Through 12 games, this team has the highest offensive rating (124.3) and second-best defensive rating (112.1) in franchise history. They’re also the first Nuggets team to win seven straight games with four players scoring 20+ points in the same game. While the 2023 championship team had more playoff experience, this squad has the most balanced scoring and the most efficient offense since the 1980s.
