The Minnesota Timberwolves open the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets
The Minnesota Timberwolves will open the 2026 NBA Playoffs on the road as they take on the Denver Nuggets in Game One.
The Timberwolves ended the season as the sixth seed in the West, finishing with a 49-33 record. They faltered a bit down the stretch, going 5-5 in their last ten games, though Anthony Edwards missed the majority of the final month, and they rested players in the final week.
The Nuggets closed the year on a 12-game win streak to put them third in the West. They finished the season with an overall record of 54-28. They rested the majority of their starters in the final two games, but still managed to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder (resting their starters) and San Antonio Spurs (sitting Victor Wembanyama) in those contests.
Denver went 3-1 in the season series, winning on October 27, November 15, and an overtime thriller on Christmas Day. The Wolves won the last meeting of the season between the two teams on March 1.
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report
Anthony Edwards is QUESTIONABLE with right knee injury maintenance. Edwards sat in the final game of the season against the New Orleans Pelicans. He's played just three games since March 17, missing 11 contests during that stretch. He last played on April 10 against the Houston Rockets, logging 27 minutes and finishing with 22 points, two rebounds, and three steals.
In 61 games this season, Edwards averaged 28.8 points, five rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
If he plays, he'll start alongside Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Donte DiVincenzo. If he doesn't play, Ayo Dosunmu will likely draw the start off the bench.
Enrique Freeman, Zyon Pullin, and Rocco Zikarsky are OUT on G-League two-way deals.
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
Spencer Jones is QUESTIONABLE with a right hamstring strain. He's been sidelined since March 29 when he suffered the injury against the Golden State Warriors. He missed 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.
Peyton Watson is OUT with a right hamstring strain. He's been out since April 1 after being injured against the Utah Jazz. There is no timetable for his return. He was having a career year, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 54 games.
The Nuggets are expected to start Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, and Cameron Johnson.