The Minnesota Timberwolves could not stomach the Denver Nuggets’ attack in the fourth quarter, ultimately losing to their Western Conference opponent 123-112 on Nov. 15.

It was a close game throughout the first half, and the Timberwolves even led at halftime, 60-55, but the Nuggets would outscore the Timberwolves 36-26 in the fourth quarter and 68-52 across the entire second half. 

“I think it was self-inflicted,” Reid said during a postgame interview. “I don’t think [the Nuggets] really triggered anything that made us do anything. I think it was just us. And in those moments we gotta be better as a team, and I think we will, but it kind of hurt us tonight. But we gotta look back at it on film and see what hurt us.”

Reid also posited that it may have been the lack of ball movement in the second half that did the Timberwolves in.

Unfortunately for Minnesota, on paper, this game felt like it was an opportunity for the Timberwolves to steal a win against an NBA Finals contender in Denver, who was without two of its starters – Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson – in an undermanned effort. 

Availability concerns were not an issue for the Nuggets, however, as once again, this game included, Denver put its depth on full display. 

Not only did Nikola Jokic – who popped up on the injury report leading up to the game and was questionable until about two hours before tip-off – play like his regular, three-time MVP self, putting together a triple-double statline of 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

But other Denver players like Tim Hardaway Jr. (23 points) and Peyton Watson (12 points), not to mention Jamal Murray (23 points) and Aaron Gordon (23 points), filled in where the team was lacking because of injuries. 

Even with the loss, Minnesota did not have a poor game in the scoring column, as the team had several players reach double-figures. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle paced the Timberwolves with 26 points apiece, also each coming close to triple-doubles respectively (Edwards was two rebounds and four assists away and Randle was three assists and four rebounds away). 

Reid even chipped in 19 points off the bench and shot 4-for-7 from 3-point range.

“It was good to get going, finally, and obviously with the help of my teammates,” Reid said. “But yeah, it felt good. I obviously would’ve felt better if we won, but it felt good.” 

The Timberwolves, now at 8-5 following the loss, will next play the Dallas Mavericks at 8:00 p.m. EST on Nov. 17.