Nuggets suffer worst first quarter in postseason history, Timberwolves roll 113-96 for 2-1 lead [VIDEO]

Minnesota held Denver to 11 points in the opening period, led wire-to-wire, and got 25 points off the bench from Ayo Dosunmu.

The Minnesota Timberwolves delivered a statement performance on their home floor Thursday night, dismantling the Denver Nuggets 113-96 in Game 3 of their Western Conference first‑round series. The victory gave Minnesota a 2-1 lead and exposed the absence of Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, who sat out with a calf injury. Denver never led, and the game featured no ties. The Timberwolves controlled the paint (68‑34 advantage in points in the paint) and forced the Nuggets into a postseason franchise‑record low 11 points in the first quarter.

Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score a playoff career‑high 25 points on 10‑of‑15 shooting, adding nine assists. Jaden McDaniels recorded a double‑double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Rudy Gobert anchored the defense with 12 rebounds and three blocks. Nikola Jokić struggled mightily, shooting 7‑of‑26 from the field for 27 points, with 15 rebounds but only three assists. The Timberwolves now host Game 4 on Sunday with a chance to push the defending champions to the brink of elimination.

Historic First Quarter Sets Tone for Wire‑to‑Wire Rout

The Timberwolves opened the game with suffocating defensive pressure. Denver managed just 11 points in the first 12 minutes, shooting 4‑of‑20 from the field and committing multiple turnovers. Minnesota built a 25‑11 lead, and the Nuggets never recovered. The 11 points were a postseason franchise low for Denver, a team known for its offensive efficiency. Jamal Murray went scoreless in the quarter, and Jokić missed five of his six field‑goal attempts.

Minnesota’s energy continued into the second period. Ayo Dosunmu ignited the bench, scoring 10 of his 25 in the first half. By intermission, the Timberwolves led 61‑39, pushing the margin to 22 points. Rudy Gobert controlled the glass, and Jaden McDaniels attacked the rim relentlessly. Denver’s defense, usually anchored by Aaron Gordon, lacked the same rotation speed, and the Timberwolves exploited every gap.

The third quarter saw Minnesota’s lead balloon to as many as 27 points. Donte DiVincenzo collected four steals and seven assists, constantly disrupting Denver’s passing lanes. The Nuggets made a brief push in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 20 at one point, but they never threatened the outcome. The final margin was 17, but the game felt decided before halftime.

Ayo Dosunmu’s Playoff Career High Ignites Timberwolves

Dosunmu came off the bench to play 32 minutes, scoring 25 points on an efficient 10‑of‑15 shooting. He added three rebounds and nine assists, directing Minnesota’s offense with poise. His ability to penetrate Denver’s defense created open looks for shooters and lobs for Gobert. Dosunmu’s previous playoff high was 14 points; his 25 marked a breakout performance in a critical postseason game.

The Timberwolves’ bench outscored Denver’s reserves 30‑20, with Naz Reid contributing five points and six rebounds in 18 minutes. Minnesota’s depth has been a key storyline in the series, and Game 3 highlighted how the loss of Aaron Gordon left Denver’s second unit scrambling. Dosunmu’s aggression forced Nikola Jokić into uncomfortable defensive positions, leading to fouls and open driving lanes.

After the game, Dosunmu credited his teammates for finding him in transition. “They trusted me with the ball,” he said. “When you have shooters and rollers like this, it’s easy to get in a rhythm.” His 25 points were the most by a Timberwolves reserve in a playoff game since 2004.

Jokić’s Inefficiency and Denver’s Offensive Collapse

Nikola Jokić finished with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and only three assists – a stark departure from his usual triple‑double threat. He shot 7‑for‑26 from the field (26.9 percent), including 2‑for‑10 from three‑point range. The Timberwolves defended him without constant double‑teams, relying on Rudy Gobert’s length and Jaden McDaniels’ help side. Jokić appeared frustrated, forcing shots and committing four turnovers.

Denver’s offense stalled completely without Aaron Gordon’s cutting and transition threat. The Nuggets recorded only 12 assists, their lowest total of the season. Jamal Murray struggled as well, scoring 16 points on 5‑of‑17 shooting and missing all five of his three‑point attempts. The starting lineup lacked spacing, and Minnesota’s aggressive rotations forced Denver into isolation sets that rarely succeeded.

The Nuggets shot 34.1 percent from the field and 25 percent from three. They attempted 40 free throws (making 32), but that volume was a result of playing from behind and drawing fouls in desperation. Denver’s 96 points were their fewest in any playoff game since 2021. The absence of Gordon’s defense and energy was glaring, and coach David Adelman will need significant adjustments before Game 4.

Timberwolves Dominate Paint, Glass, and Transition

Minnesota outscored Denver 68‑34 in the paint, a margin that reflected both Gobert’s rim presence and the Nuggets’ inability to stop dribble penetration. The Timberwolves grabbed 53 rebounds (12 offensive) to Denver’s 40. Their offensive rebound rate of 26.1 percent created second‑chance opportunities that the Nuggets could not match. Rudy Gobert pulled down 12 boards, and Jaden McDaniels added 10.

The Timberwolves also excelled in transition, scoring 21 fast‑break points to Denver’s seven. Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards pushed the pace after defensive stops, and their quick outlets caught the Nuggets’ defense flat‑footed. Minnesota’s 31 assists demonstrated crisp ball movement, while Denver managed only 12. The Timberwolves turned the ball over just 10 times, the same as Denver, but they scored 36 points off those turnovers compared to the Nuggets’ 14.

This was a complete performance on both ends. Minnesota’s defense held Denver to 34.1 percent shooting, and their offense hummed even without a dominant scoring night from Anthony Edwards (17 points in 24 minutes). The Timberwolves are now one win away from a commanding 3‑1 series lead, and they have proven they can beat the defending champions without relying solely on their star.

Social Media Reacts to Denver’s Embarrassing First Quarter

The X post highlighting Denver’s 11‑point first quarter quickly went viral, amassing hundreds of thousands of views. Fans expressed disbelief at the Nuggets’ historically bad start. One user wrote, “Jokić looks like he’s playing in mud.” Another commented, “No Aaron Gordon, no chance.” Multiple replies pointed to the Nuggets’ lack of energy and the Timberwolves’ defensive intensity.

Some reactions focused on Ayo Dosunmu’s breakout game, with users calling him “the X‑factor of the series.” Others criticized Jamal Murray’s performance, noting his 0‑for‑5 shooting from deep. A few fans brought up the officiating, arguing that Denver’s 40 free throws showed a disparity, but most agreed that the Nuggets simply played poorly.

Timberwolves supporters celebrated the wire‑to‑wire victory and the chance to take a 3‑1 lead at home. “This team is different,” one reply read. “They’re not afraid of Denver.” The overall tone reflected surprise at the one‑sided nature of the game, with many predicting that the series could end earlier than expected.

Conclusion

The Nuggets hoped to regain control of the series when they arrived in Target Center. They left with a franchise record they would rather forget. Eleven points in the first quarter. Zero lead changes. Zero ties. Ayo Dosunmu, a bench player, outscored every Denver starter not named Jokić.

The game was decided before the second quarter ended. Now the Timberwolves have a chance to push the Nuggets to a 3‑1 lead on their own floor.

Denver must find answers without Aaron Gordon, and fast.

Nikola Jokić cannot win a playoff series shooting 7‑for‑26. Minnesota is playing with belief, defense, and depth. Game 4 is Sunday. The Nuggets are reeling. The Timberwolves are one win away from a commanding series lead. In the playoffs, the margin between triumph and disaster is often a single bad quarter.

For Denver, that quarter came first, and it never ended.

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