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A late rally lifts the Timberwolves to victory over the Nuggets

NBA: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota TimberwolvesNovember 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) recovers from Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory credits: Matt Blewett-Imagn images

Anthony Edwards scored 29 points and shot 7-for-14 from 3-point range as the Minnesota Timberwolves escaped with a 119-116 win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night in Minneapolis.

Julius Randle added 23 points, seven assists and six rebounds for Minnesota. Rudy Gobert recorded 17 points and 14 rebounds, Naz Reid scored 16 points off the bench and Jaden McDaniel contributed 10 points.

Aaron Gordon scored a game-high 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Denver. Nikola Jokic had 26 points, nine rebounds and 13 assists, and Michael Porter Jr. also recorded 26 points. Christian Braun added 14 points.

The Timberwolves trailed by 10 points in the fourth quarter before closing the game on a 17-4 run to secure the win.

Edwards scored the go-ahead basket with a floating jump shot, putting Minnesota on top 117-116 with 25.7 seconds left. Gobert added a pair of free throws with 10.1 seconds left to push the lead to three.

Jokic fired a three-point attempt from the right corner but missed in the waning seconds.

Denver played down the stretch without guard Jamal Murray, who left in the third quarter after colliding with Randle. Murray was placed in the concussion protocol, the Nuggets said.

Despite Murray’s absence, Denver stormed to a 25-3 run and took a 112-102 lead with 4:17 to go. The run included a highlight play from Braun, who jumped for a dunk over Gobert, the Timberwolves’ 7-foot center.

After the play, Braun screamed with joy and bumped his shoulder into Gobert. The Timberwolves big man was on offense, grabbing Braun and pushing him away.

Both players were given technical fouls after the officials reviewed the play.

The Timberwolves held a 91-85 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Gordon made a 3-pointer to give Denver a 71-69 lead with 10 minutes left in the third quarter.

Randle answered with a 3-pointer to spark a 10-1 run for Minnesota. Gobert capped the run with an alley-oop dunk to put the Timberwolves on top 79-72 with 7:05 left in the quarter.

Minnesota led 64-61 at halftime.

The Timberwolves opened a 16-point lead in the second quarter. Donte DiVincenzo completed a pass to Gobert for a basket to put Minnesota on top 49-33 with 7:18 to go.

The Nuggets answered with an 18-2 run to tie the score at 51, all with 4:09 left in the half.

–Field-level media