{"id":749076,"date":"2026-04-24T04:43:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T04:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/749076\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T04:43:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T04:43:15","slug":"nuggets-vs-timberwolves-3-takeaways-from-denvers-game-3-loss-in-minnesota-to-fall-down-2-1-in-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/749076\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuggets vs. Timberwolves | 3 takeaways from Denver\u2019s Game 3 loss in Minnesota to fall down 2-1 in series"},"content":{"rendered":"

Punked in Minnesota. Again.<\/p>\n

The Nuggets fell behind by 20 points midway through the second quarter of a 113-96 Game 3 loss at Target Center on Thursday. That came after a blowout loss at Minnesota in a Game 6 two years ago.<\/p>\n

Here are three takeaways after the Timberwolves grabbed a 2-1 series lead:<\/p>\n

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  1. David Adelman searched and searched for answers. He called four timeouts in the first half, one for each of Nikola Jokic\u2019s turnovers in the opening 24 minutes. The Nuggets need the three-time MVP to play better. Jokic has looked uncomfortable against Wolves center Rudy Gobert, who has put together a stellar defensive effort. After playing a big role in his team\u2019s dominant fourth quarter in Game 2, Gobert hounded Jokic from the start on Thursday. The Joker never got in an offensive rhythm, finishing with 27 points but needing 26 shots to get there. He had only three assists compared to four turnovers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      \"\"Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) works toward the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and forward Julius Randle (30) defend during the first half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo\/Abbie Parr)<\/p>\n

      2. Jamal Murray struggled again as the Nuggets\u2019 elite duo stumbled, but the Nuggets need more from their other members of the starting lineup, too. Christian Braun has a large defensive assignment against Anthony Edwards, but the Nuggets can\u2019t expect to win a game in which Braun fails to score. Cam Johnson has also struggled in his first postseason in Denver. He failed to make a 3-pointer in Game 3, scoring just six points on six shots to lower his series average to 10.3 points per game.<\/p>\n

      \"\"Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) works toward the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) and guard Anthony Edwards (5) defend during the first half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo\/Abbie Parr)<\/p>\n

      3. None of what happened Thursday will be more important than Aaron Gordon\u2019s health. The team\u2019s top defender missed the game with calf tightness. Given the injuries that occurred in last year\u2019s postseason, it\u2019s smart to play it safe and not risk a potential Achilles injury. But Denver doesn\u2019t have enough firepower without Gordon, something it learned often in the regular season. Maybe he returns for Game 4. If not, expect more of Zeke Nnaji, one of the few Nuggets who seemed ready for the fight with 10 points off the bench.<\/p>\n

      \"\"Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0), left, works toward the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) defends during the first half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo\/Abbie Parr)<\/p>\n

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