MINNEAPOLIS. The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 112-96 in NBA playoffs, taking a 3-1 series lead in the first round of the Western Conference. Ayo Dosunmu was the star of the night with a historic 43 points off the bench, carrying the Wolves despite injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.
Minnesota Timberwolves needed answers in the face of key absences and found an unexpected offensive explosion. From the start, Dosunmu showed aggression attacking the rim, punished every opening given by the opposing defense, and provided constant energy to a team facing a crucial game.
Denver Nuggets, powered by the talent of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, controlled much of the contest. The visiting team even built a seven-point lead in the third quarter, threatening to even the series and regain the initiative.
But everything changed. Minnesota elevated its defensive intensity, forced turnovers near midcourt, and converted those mistakes into easy points. Dosunmu and Bones Hyland completed consecutive fast-break plays, while Julius Randle stole the ball and threw down a dunk in transition to close the third period with a four-point Minnesota lead.
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That momentum turned into an avalanche early in the fourth quarter. Ayo Dosunmu continued punishing on both ends of the floor and led a 9-0 run that opened a 95-82 advantage for Minnesota Timberwolves. The decisive blow came with a three-pointer from 38-year-old Mike Conley, extending the lead to double digits and leaving Denver Nuggets reeling.
The finish also had drama. With the game decided, Nikola Jokic and Julius Randle were ejected with 2.1 seconds remaining following a confrontation sparked by a meaningless basket from Jaden McDaniels.
Ayo Dosunmu completed the best performance of his career with 43 points, shooting 13 of 17 from the field, 5 of 5 from three-point range, and 12 of 12 from the free-throw line in 42 minutes. It was one of the greatest scoring performances by a bench player in recent NBA playoff history.
For Denver Nuggets, Jamal Murray led with 30 points, while Nikola Jokic recorded 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists, though both struggled in the second half. Combined, Jokic and Murray shot 6 of 24 after halftime. The visiting team also finished poorly from three-point range, going 6 of 27.
Minnesota Timberwolves has won the last three games of the series and is one victory away from eliminating one of the West's top contenders.
Game 5 will be played in Denver, where the Nuggets must respond to stay alive and avoid an early playoff elimination.