Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Match Player Stats – April 1, 2025 Double-Overtime Thriller

Introduction

On April 1, 2025, at Ball Arena in Denver, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets delivered one of the most memorable games of the NBA season, ending with a 140-139 victory for the Timberwolves in double overtime. This game, played during the final stretch of the regular season, was crucial for both teams’ playoff positioning, with the Timberwolves improving to 49-33 and the Nuggets falling to 50-32. The matchup, attended by 19,927 fans and broadcast on TNT/truTV/Max, showcased high-level basketball, featuring 14 lead changes and 10 ties, culminating in Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s clutch free throws with 0.1 seconds left. Officiated by referees Sean Wright, CJ Washington, and Justin Van Duyne, the game lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes, highlighting the intensity and competitiveness of the NBA.

Key Points

• The latest Timberwolves vs. Nuggets game was on April 1, 2025, with Minnesota winning 140-139 in double overtime.
• Nikola Jokic scored a career-high 61 points for Denver, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 34 points.
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s clutch free throws sealed the win for the Timberwolves.
• The game was crucial for playoff positioning, impacting both teams’ standings.

Key Performances

Nikola Jokic’s performance was the standout, scoring a career-high 61 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists for a rare 60-point triple-double. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 34 points and 10 rebounds, while Julius Randle added 26 points and 9 rebounds. Alexander-Walker contributed 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, including the decisive free throws.

Game Context and Significance

The Timberwolves, with a record of 49-33, were fighting to secure a strong playoff seed in the Western Conference, while the Nuggets, at 50-32, aimed to maintain their position as a top contender. This game was part of their regular-season series, with both teams having met earlier in the season on January 25, 2025, and March 12, 2025. The April 1 game was particularly significant as it occurred late in the season, with only a few weeks left before the playoffs began on April 19, 2025. The outcome had implications for seeding, with the Timberwolves looking to solidify their spot and the Nuggets aiming to avoid slipping in the standings.

Detailed Recap

The game was a back-and-forth affair from the start, with both teams trading baskets and leads. The first half saw the Nuggets take a slight edge, led by Nikola Jokic’s scoring, but the Timberwolves responded in the third quarter, with Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle leading the charge. The fourth quarter was tight, with the score tied at 119-119, forcing overtime. The first overtime ended with another tie at 129-129, leading to a second overtime. In the final seconds of the second overtime, with the score at 139-139, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was fouled and hit two free throws with 0.1 seconds left, securing the win for Minnesota. The Nuggets’ last-second heave missed, sealing their fate.

Player Performances and Statistics

The game featured standout performances from both teams, with individual stats reflecting the intensity of the matchup. Below are the detailed player stats for key contributors:

Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats

Anthony Edwards

• 34 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists
• 1 steal, 0 blocks
• Shot 12/25 FG (48.0%), 5/15 3P (33.3%), 5/7 FT (71.4%)
• +8 in 50 minutes
• 🔥 All-around performance showcasing scoring and playmaking

Julius Randle

• 26 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists
• 1 steal, 0 blocks
• Shot 11/22 FG (50.0%), 4/8 3P (50.0%)
• 0/0 FT, +1 in 50 minutes
• 🎯 Efficient from three-point range

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

• 26 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists
• 0 steals, 2 blocks
• Shot 8/16 FG (50.0%), 5/11 3P (45.5%), 5/7 FT (71.4%)
• +14 in 45 minutes
• 💥 Game-winning free throws and well-rounded play

Rudy Gobert

• 19 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist
• 1 steal, 0 blocks
• Shot 7/11 FG (63.6%), 0/0 3P, 5/9 FT (55.6%)
• -10 in 40 minutes
• 🛡️ Key presence inside for boards and finishes

Mike Conley

• 9 points, 1 rebound, 8 assists
• 1 steal, 0 blocks
• Shot 3/8 FG (37.5%), 3/7 3P (42.9%), 0/0 FT
• -22 in 36 minutes
• 🧠 Steady playmaker, kept offense moving

Jaden McDaniels

• 12 points, 6 rebounds, 0 assists
• 0 steals, 0 blocks
• Shot 5/17 FG (29.4%), 0/4 3P (0.0%), 2/2 FT (100.0%)
• -6 in 44 minutes
• 🧱 Cold shooting night, contributed on defense

Josh Minott

• 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
• 0 steals, 0 blocks
• Shot 4/6 FG (66.7%), 2/4 3P (50.0%), 0/0 FT
• +14 in 12 minutes
• ⚡️ High-efficiency spark off the bench

Jaylen Clark

• 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
• 0 steals, 0 blocks
• Shot 1/4 FG (25.0%), 0/1 3P (0.0%), 0/0 FT
• +2 in 9 minutes
• 🔧 Limited but active in short minutes

Rob Dillingham

• 2 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists
• 1 steal, 0 blocks
• Shot 1/2 FG (50.0%), 0/0 3P, 0/0 FT
• +4 in 4 minutes
• 🌟 Efficient in brief appearance

Denver Nuggets Player Stats

Nikola Jokic

• Scored 61 points
• Grabbed 10 rebounds
• Dished out 10 assists
• Collected 2 steals
• Had 0 blocks
• Shot 18-of-29 from the field (62.1%)
• Made 6-of-11 from three (54.5%)
• Hit 19-of-24 free throws (79.2%)
• Was +2 in 53 minutes
• 🔥 Historic performance: Career-high points and a rare 60-point triple-double

Aaron Gordon

• Scored 30 points
• Pulled down 8 rebounds
• Had 5 assists
• 0 steals, 1 block
• Shot 9-of-15 FG (60.0%)
• Shot 4-of-8 from three (50.0%)
• Hit 8-of-10 free throws (80.0%)
• Was +16 in 47 minutes
• 💪 Efficient and reliable, helped support Jokic’s huge night

Christian Braun

• Scored 18 points
• Collected 8 rebounds
• Had 4 assists
• 0 steals, 0 blocks
• Shot 7-of-12 FG (58.3%)
• Made 2-of-5 threes (40.0%)
• Hit 2-of-2 free throws (100.0%)
• Was +10 in 35 minutes
• 👍 Solid bench contribution

Russell Westbrook

• Scored 16 points
• Grabbed 6 rebounds
• Delivered 10 assists
• 1 steal, 0 blocks
• Shot 6-of-12 FG (50.0%)
• Made 1-of-3 from three (33.3%)
• Hit 3-of-4 FTs (75.0%)
• Was -5 in 32 minutes
• ⚡️ Strong playmaking, but not enough to swing the result

Peyton Watson

• Scored 10 points
• Pulled down 5 rebounds
• Had 2 assists
• 0 steals, 0 blocks
• Shot 4-of-7 FG (57.1%)
• Made 1-of-2 from three (50.0%)
• Shot 1-of-2 from FT line (50.0%)
• Was -3 in 28 minutes
• 🔄 Useful off the bench

DeAndre Jordan

• Scored 8 points
• Grabbed 10 rebounds
• Had 2 assists
• 0 steals, 0 blocks
• Shot 4-of-6 FG (66.7%)
• Did not attempt a 3 or FT
• Was -4 in 24 minutes
• 🛡️ Strong on the glass, limited in scoring

Jalen Pickett

• Scored 6 points
• Collected 3 rebounds
• Had 4 assists
• 0 steals, 0 blocks
• Shot 2-of-4 FG (50.0%)
• Missed his only 3-point attempt
• Hit 2-of-2 FTs (100.0%)
• Was -2 in 18 minutes
• 🧩 Small but steady impact

Zeke Nnaji

• Scored 4 points
• Grabbed 2 rebounds
• Had 1 assist
• 0 steals, 0 blocks
• Shot 2-of-3 FG (66.7%)
• Did not attempt a 3 or FT
• Was -1 in 12 minutes
• ⏱️ Limited minutes, but efficient when on court

Team Statistics and Comparison

The game’s team stats further illustrate the intensity:

The Timberwolves’ slight edge in rebounding and lower turnovers (14 vs. 18) were key factors in their victory, especially in overtime.

Strategic Insights and Analysis

The Timberwolves’ victory was a testament to their depth and resilience. Alexander-Walker’s clutch free throws highlighted their ability to perform under pressure, while Edwards and Randle’s scoring kept them competitive throughout. The Nuggets, despite Jokic’s historic performance, struggled with turnovers and couldn’t close out the game, with Murray’s off-night (12 points on 4-of-14 shooting) adding to their challenges. The game underscored the importance of bench production, with the Timberwolves’ reserves outscoring Denver’s 39-36.

Playoff Context and Series Implications

Although this was a regular-season game, it had playoff implications. The Timberwolves, with this win, solidified their sixth seed in the Western Conference, eventually facing the LA Lakers in the first round, where they were eliminated. The Nuggets, as the fourth seed, advanced to the second round, facing the Oklahoma City Thunder. This game served as a preview of the high-level basketball fans could expect, with both teams showcasing their strengths and vulnerabilities.

Historical Context

The 2024-2025 NBA season has seen intense competition, with the Western Conference living up to its reputation. The Timberwolves and Nuggets have a history of playoff battles, with the Nuggets eliminating the Timberwolves in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals. This regular-season game added another layer to their rivalry, showcasing the evolution of both teams, with the Timberwolves relying on Edwards and Randle, and the Nuggets continuing to lean on Jokic’s dominance.

Conclusion

The April 1, 2025, clash between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets was a microcosm of the intensity and competition that defined the 2024-2025 NBA season. Jokic’s historic 61-point triple-double will be talked about for years, but it was the Timberwolves who came out on top, thanks to their depth and clutch play in the final moments. As both teams moved forward in the season, this game served as a reminder of the fine margins that often decide victory in the NBA.