The Denver Nuggets are back at full strength as the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves begins.
The Denver Nuggets open the 2026 NBA Playoffs at home and against a familiar foe in the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Nuggets closed the season as the hottest team in the league, winning 12 straight games. Despite resting the majority of their rotation players in the final two games, the Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder (resting their starters) and San Antonio Spurs (resting Victor Wembanyama) to end the season t secure the three seed. They finished with an overall record of 54-28.
The Timberwolves were in the mix for the three seed heading into the final weeks, but an injury to Anthony Edwards saw them go 5-5 in the final ten games to slot them at the six seed, putting them on the road to start the playoffs. They finished with an overall record of 49-33.
These two teams met four times in the regular season with the Nuggets winning three of those contests. The Timberwolves won the last meeting on March 1. The Nuggets won three meetings in the first three months of the season, including an overtime classic on Christmas Day.
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
Peyton Watson is OUT with a right hamstring strain. He's been sidelined since April 1, when he was injured against the Utah Jazz. He was listed as week-to-week, and there have been no further updates on his return. He was having a career year, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 54 games.
Good news for the Nuggets is that Spencer Jones is QUESTIONABLE with a right hamstring strain. He's been out since March 29, when he suffered the injury against the Golden State Warriors, causing him to miss the last six games of the season. In 64 total games this year, he averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists.
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report
Anthony Edwards is QUESTIONABLE with right knee injury maintenance. Edwards played just three games in the final month of the season, sitting in 11 games from March 17 to the regular season finale. He sat in the final game of the year, but played on April 10 against the Houston Rockets. He finished that game with 22 points, two rebounds, and three assists.
In 61 games this season, Edwards averaged a career high 28.8 points, five rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
Assuming he plays, he'll start alongside Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Donte DiVincenzo. Ayo Dosunmu is expected to start if Edwards is unable to suit up.
Enrique Freeman, Zyon Pullin, and Rocco Zikarsky are OUT on G-League two-way deals.