In an engaging preseason encounter, the Minnesota Timberwolves demonstrated their offensive prowess, clinching a 126-116 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Pechanga Arena in San Diego. The Timberwolves established an early lead, fueled by Jaden McDaniels' flawless shooting in the first quarter, setting the tone for a commanding performance.
Minnesota's dominance continued post-halftime, with Bones Hyland's impressive three-point shooting extending their lead to 96-80 by the end of the third quarter. Despite a determined 36-point surge by Denver in the final quarter, the Timberwolves held strong, propelled by Johnny Juzang's significant contribution off the bench.
Bones Hyland was the leading scorer, tallying 18 points in just 22 minutes, including five successful shots from beyond the arc. Joan Beringer also made a notable impact, adding 14 points and securing eight rebounds, four of which were offensive boards that led to crucial second-chance opportunities for Minnesota.
For the Denver Nuggets, Aaron Gordon led the scoring with 14 points, shooting an efficient 4-for-4 from the field. Nikola Jokic contributed 14 points and five rebounds in limited playing time, while Jamal Murray recorded 12 points and five assists before being rested early in the game.
The Timberwolves showcased remarkable shooting accuracy, hitting 51.1% from the field and an impressive 50% from three-point range, converting 15 of 30 attempts. Their aggressive defense also forced 15 turnovers from the Nuggets, which they successfully translated into 20 points.
Conversely, Denver displayed strong overall shooting at 54.7% but struggled with their perimeter game, making only 11 of 28 three-point attempts, resulting in a 39.3% success rate. Both teams were evenly matched in interior scoring, with the Nuggets and Timberwolves each registering 48 and 50 points in the paint, respectively.
An early lead change occurred when Jokic's free throws briefly narrowed the deficit, but Minnesota quickly reasserted control, maintaining their advantage for the remainder of the game. Jalen Pickett contributed 13 points and four assists for Denver during their fourth-quarter offensive push, attempting to close the gap.
Additional contributions for Minnesota included Enrique Freeman's nine points, highlighted by a late three-pointer that stretched their lead to 13 points. Hunter Tyson also chipped in nine points for the Nuggets, making all three of his attempts from deep.
The Timberwolves were dominant on the glass, securing 41 rebounds, with 13 offensive boards leading to 19 second-chance points. Although Denver collected 37 rebounds, they were hampered by 15 turnovers throughout the contest.
Rudy Gobert's performance for Minnesota included six points, three assists, and two steals in just 12 minutes of play. Peyton Watson added 10 points for Denver, including two impressive dunks in transition, providing some highlights for the Nuggets.
