Michael Malone Pushes Nuggets Ahead of Timberwolves Showdown
The Denver Nuggets must step up their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Over the past three seasons, the Nuggets and Timberwolves have developed one of the NBA’s most intense rivalries. However, Minnesota has recently gained the upper hand.
After Denver eliminated Minnesota in the first round of the 2023 playoffs, the Timberwolves responded with a dramatic victory in 2024. In a tightly contested series, Minnesota overcame a 20-point deficit in Game 7 in Denver to secure a spot in the Western Conference Finals.
That painful loss may still linger for the Nuggets, as their head-to-head battles have been heavily one-sided this season. The Timberwolves have dominated all three matchups so far in the 2024-25 season, winning by a combined 52 points, including two blowout victories. The final regular-season meeting between the teams takes place Tuesday night in Denver.
Ahead of the game, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone issued a strong challenge to his players, urging them to match Minnesota’s intensity. Speaking to Vic Lombardi, Malone didn’t mince words about the team’s recent struggles against the Timberwolves.
“It’s easy to say we need to make adjustments, but we also have to play much harder,” Malone emphasized. “They treat these matchups like a rivalry, while we’ve approached them like any other game. … Forget everything else—this team has beaten us five times in a row. Hopefully, that fact resonates with our guys, and we bring the right mindset tomorrow.”
This game carries significant weight for the Nuggets, not just psychologically but also in terms of playoff positioning. Denver currently holds the third seed in the Western Conference, which would keep them away from the Oklahoma City Thunder until the Conference Finals. With a 1.5-game lead over the Lakers, the Nuggets need to continue winning to maintain their position.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves, sitting in the seventh seed, are fighting to escape the play-in tournament. A victory could greatly impact their postseason standing as the regular season winds down.
