RealGM Basketball Wiretap

01 May 2026

• Anthony Edwards Out To Start Series Against Spurs

  Anthony Edwards will be out to start their second round series with a bone bruise and a left knee hyperextension. Edwards suffered the injury in Game 4 last Saturday and the injury typically requires a minimum two-week recovery.

  The Minnesota Timberwolves advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals to play the San Antion Spurs in their Game 6 win over the Denver Nuggets despite playing without Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu.

  Edwards averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 35.0 minutes over 61 games during the regular season with the Wolves.

  The Wolves have reached the Western Conference Finals each of the past two seasons, but they are +950 underdogs in their series against the Spurs.

• Timberwolves Unlikely To Allow Mavericks To Interview Tim Connelly

  The Dallas Mavericks had reportedly targeted Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly to fill their open lead front office role. However, in light of the team's success under Connelly, the Timberwolves are unlikely to grant the Mavericks permission to interview Connelly. Because he is under contract with the Wolves, they would need to allow the Mavs to interview Connelly for the position.

  In Connelly's four seasons running Minnesota's front office, the Wolves have won nearly 60% of their regular season games. The Timberwolves have advanced to the last two Western Conference Finals and just completed an impressive upset of the Denver Nuggets in this year's first round of the playoffs.

  Connelly was previously the GM of the Nuggets for nine seasons. He was a big part of building Denver's roster that won the NBA Finals in 2023, after he had left the team to run the Wolves basketball operations.

• Jaden McDaniels, Wolves 'Prove Point' In Eliminating Nuggets In Game 6 Despite Injuries

  Depleted by injuries to three starting guards, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6 on Thursday, advancing to the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs behind 32 points and 10 rebounds from Jaden McDaniels.

  With Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, and Ayo Dosunmu all sidelined, Minnesota adopted a frontcourt-heavy lineup. Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid powered a dominant 64-40 edge in points in the paint and a 50-33 rebounding advantage over Denver.

  Terrence Shannon Jr., inserted into the starting lineup, contributed 24 points. His speed off the dribble proved difficult for Denver to contain, and a three-point play with 1:43 remaining extended Minnesota's lead to six.

  McDaniels delivered the decisive blow, burying a 19-foot midrange pull-up to push the margin to seven with 1:06 to play. He then intercepted a pressured pass from Nikola Jokic to effectively seal the outcome.

  "I'm just happy it's over, happy we were able to come out on top," McDaniels said. "Stuff was said. I'm just happy we were all able to prove our point, get the win, and move on to the next round."

  Jokic posted 28 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for Denver. However, Jamal Murray, closely guarded by McDaniels throughout, managed only 12 points on 4-for-17 shooting. Cameron Johnson led the Nuggets with 27 points, including 10-for-27 from three-point range as a team.

  "This is what you don't really teach. This is about will. It's about heart, and that's how we were able to overcome this great challenge," said Gobert, who finished with 10 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.

  Minnesota, seeded sixth in the West, will face second-seeded San Antonio beginning Monday in the second round. The Spurs are 14.5 point favorites in Game 1.

• How To Watch Timberwolves Vs Nuggets Playoff Game 6: Live Stream, TV Channel, Predictions

  The Western Conference First Round returns to the Twin Cities this Thursday, April 30, as the Minnesota Timberwolves look to clinch the series against the defending-championship-caliber Denver Nuggets. Following a dominant 125-113 statement win by Denver on Monday, the Timberwolves' lead has been cut to 3-2. For Minnesota, tonight is about finishing the job at home to avoid a winner-take-all Game 7 back in the altitude of Colorado. Catch every high-stakes moment of this pivotal Game 6 live on Fubo.

  Game 5 was a masterclass by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who etched his name further into history with a 27-point, 16-assist, and 12-rebound triple-double. The Nuggets also saw a breakout performance from Spencer Jones, who stepped into the starting lineup for the injured Aaron Gordon and poured in 20 points. Minnesota, playing without star Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles), relied heavily on Julius Randle, who tallied 27 points, but couldn't withstand Denver's second-half surge. To advance tonight, the Wolves must find a secondary scoring option to help Randle penetrate Denver's disciplined defense. Witness the tactical battle live on Fubo.

  The pressure now shifts back to the Target Center, where the Timberwolves have been nearly unbeatable this postseason. Minnesota will need Rudy Gobert to be the ultimate anchor in the paint to deter the Nuggets' transition game, led by Jamal Murray. Meanwhile, Denver aims to use their veteran poise to silence the "White Out" crowd early, relying on the perimeter gravity of Cameron Johnson to create space for Jokic. Expect a physical, high-intensity atmosphere as the Timberwolves fight to secure their first-round advancement.

  Minnesota's ability to limit turnovers and control the defensive glass will be the deciding factor in whether they can pull off the upset without their leading scorer. You can witness this Western Conference clash streaming live on Fubo.

  How to watch Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 6

  Thursday's Game 6 will be broadcast on Fubo.

  Category	Details
  Date	Thursday, April 30, 2026
  Tip-Off Time	9:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM PT
  Live Stream	Fubo
  Venue	Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

  Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 5 Recap & Game 6 Odds

  The Nuggets arrive in Minneapolis as road favorites despite trailing in the series. Oddsmakers believe the momentum from Game 5 and the injury-depleted Minnesota roster will be too much for the Wolves to overcome in a closeout scenario.

  Betting Line	Nuggets -5.5
  Over/Under	225.5
  Moneyline	DEN -229 | MIN +188

  Prediction: Nikola Jokic is in "elimination mode," and with Anthony Edwards sidelined, the offensive burden on Julius Randle may be too great. While the Target Center energy will be massive, the Nuggets' championship experience should carry them to a road win and force a Game 7. Final Score: Nuggets 114, Timberwolves 105.

  Individual Matchups: Game 5 Leaders

  The battle of the centers remains the primary focus as Nikola Jokic continues his historic postseason run against Rudy Gobert.

  Nuggets Key Player Stats (Game 5)	Points	Assists	Rebounds	FG%
  Nikola Jokic (C)	27	16	12	60.0%
  Jamal Murray (G)	24	7	4	39.1%

  The Timberwolves rely on Julius Randle to lead the scoring charge, while looking for Ayo Dosunmu to step up in the backcourt.

  Timberwolves Key Player Stats (Game 5)	Points	Rebounds	Assists	FG%
  Julius Randle (F)	27	9	6	53.3%
  Ayo Dosunmu (G)	18	3	4	50.0%

  Stream the NBA Playoffs on Fubo

  Fubo is the ultimate destination for NBA fans this postseason. Don't miss a single highlight as the Timberwolves and Nuggets battle for Western Conference supremacy with a flexible streaming experience.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  What was the score of Game 5?
  The Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 on Monday night to stave off elimination.

  When is Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 6?
  Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, at Target Center in Minneapolis, with tip-off at 9:30 PM ET.

  Who leads the series?
  The Minnesota Timberwolves currently lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.

  This article contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Restrictions may apply.

• Nuggets Force Game 6 Behind Jokic's Triple-Double; McDaniels: 'We Going To Win The Next One'

  Nikola Jokic delivered a 27-point, 16-assist, 12-rebound triple-double Monday to keep the Denver Nuggets' season alive, as they defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 in Game 5. The series shifts to Minneapolis for Game 6 on Thursday with the Nuggets favored by 6.5 points. Oddsmakers now give the Nuggets a 61 percent probability of winning the series and completing the 3-1 comeback.

  Denver entered as an 11-point favorite against a Timberwolves squad already missing injured stars Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo. Despite the favorable matchup, the Nuggets had dropped three straight games in increasingly deflating fashion before Monday's rebound. The Nuggets completed two 3-1 series comebacks in 2020 and also won three straight against the Wolves in the 2024 Western Conference semifinals before losing the final two.

  "Just an embarrassing first four games of the series," Christian Braun said.

  Jokic's supporting cast rose to the occasion alongside him. Spencer Jones scored 20 points on four three-pointers in place of the injured Aaron Gordon, while Cam Johnson, acquired in an offseason deal that sent Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets, posted 18 points. The Nuggets forced 25 turnovers and converted them into 35 points.

  Denver also shot 38% from three-point range after a collective 28.5% mark through the first four games.

  "Jok is Jok," said Nuggets coach David Adelman. "These [small] sample size games and the freakouts when he doesn't play well. You know he's going to play well. Then his 16 assists. Assists are hard to get unless you make shots."

  Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels struggled in his most difficult outing of the series, committing four turnovers and missing all three three-point attempts after drawing early foul trouble. McDaniels had sparked a late-game skirmish in Game 4 and publicly called several Nuggets players "bad defenders" following Game 2.

  "Nothing dirty," McDaniels said. "It's all fun to me. I feed into it. We just got to get the job done next game, and there's no more talking."

  Gordon and Peyton Watson remain questionable for Denver ahead of Game 6.

  "We just ended up losing today," McDaniels said. "But we going to win the next one."

• How To Watch Timberwolves Vs Nuggets Playoff Game 5: Live Stream, TV Channel, Predictions

  The Western Conference First Round heats up in the Twin Cities this Monday, April 27, as the Minnesota Timberwolves look to even the series against the Denver Nuggets in a pivotal Game 4. Following a physical 112-106 victory for Denver on Saturday, the third-seeded Nuggets (2-1) have successfully reclaimed home-court advantage. For Minnesota, this is a must-win scenario to avoid heading back to the altitude of Denver facing a daunting 3-1 deficit. Catch every moment of this heavyweight clash live on Peacock.

  Game 3 was a masterclass by Nikola Jokic, who dismantled the Wolves' interior defense for 31 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists. Minnesota saw a heroic 33-point effort from Anthony Edwards, but the Timberwolves struggled to find consistent secondary scoring as Karl-Anthony Towns (14 points) battled foul trouble throughout the second half. To turn the tide in Game 4, Minnesota must rediscover the defensive identity that made them the league's top unit, specifically by finding an answer for the Jamal Murray and Jokic two-man game. Witness the tactical battle live on Peacock.

  The spotlight now turns to the coaching chess match at Target Center. Minnesota will need more offensive aggression from Rudy Gobert on the glass to limit Denver's second-chance opportunities. Meanwhile, the Nuggets aim to use Michael Porter Jr.'s perimeter gravity to keep the Wolves' defenders away from the paint. Expect a high-intensity, "win-or-go-home" atmosphere as the Timberwolves look to protect their home floor and level the series.

  Minnesota's ability to control the pace and limit Aaron Gordon's impact in transition will be vital against a Denver squad that thrives on capitalizing on mistakes. You can witness this Western Conference showdown streaming live on Peacock.

  How to watch Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Game 4

  Monday's Game 4 will be broadcast on Peacock.

  Category	Details
  Date	Monday, April 27, 2026
  Tip-Off Time	10:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM PT
  Live Stream	Peacock
  Venue	Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

  Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Game 3 Recap & Game 4 Odds

  Despite the Game 3 loss, the Timberwolves remain slight home favorites as oddsmakers expect a bounce-back from the Minnesota core. The betting line suggests a defensive grind, with the total dropping slightly as both teams tighten their rotations.

  Betting Line	Timberwolves -1.5
  Over/Under	209.5
  Moneyline	MIN -125 | DEN +105

  Prediction: Anthony Edwards has historically performed his best when his back is against the wall. Expect a more disciplined defensive effort from Minnesota, particularly in the pick-and-roll. While Jokic will get his numbers, the Wolves' desperation should carry them to a series-evening win. Final Score: Timberwolves 110, Nuggets 104.

  Individual Matchups: Game 3 Leaders

  The duel between Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokic is the defining matchup of the series, with both superstars carrying heavy usage for their respective squads.

  Nuggets Key Player Stats (Game 3)	Points	Assists	Rebounds	FG%
  Nikola Jokic (C)	31	8	14	54.5%
  Jamal Murray (G)	24	5	4	45.0%

  The Timberwolves look to Anthony Edwards to lead the scoring charge while needing Rudy Gobert to be the anchor of their defensive scheme.

  Timberwolves Key Player Stats (Game 3)	Points	Rebounds	Assists	FG%
  Anthony Edwards (G)	33	6	6	48.0%
  Rudy Gobert (C)	12	15	1	60.0%

  Stream the NBA Playoffs on Peacock

  Peacock is the ultimate destination for NBA fans this postseason. Don't miss a single highlight as the Timberwolves and Nuggets battle for Western Conference supremacy with a flexible streaming experience.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  What was the score of Game 3?
  The Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-106 on Saturday night to take a 2-1 series lead.

  When is Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Game 4?
  Game 4 is scheduled for Monday, April 27, at Target Center in Minneapolis, with tip-off at 10:00 PM ET.

  Who leads the series?
  Denver currently leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.

  This article contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Restrictions may apply.

• Mavericks Remain Interested In Hiring Tim Connelly To Lead Front Office

  The Dallas Mavericks are one of two NBA teams looking for a new leader for their front office. The Mavs are reportedly still interested in trying to lure Tim Connelley from his role leading the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball operations.

  Connelley is believed to no longer hold an opt out from his job with the Wolves. However, many around the league believe that he could be drawn from Minnesota after the Timberwolves season ends.

  The Wolves currently hold a 3-1 lead over the Denver Nuggets in their first-round playoff series.

• NBA Fines Nikola Jokic $50K, Julius Randle $35K For Game 4 Altercation

  The NBA has fined Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic $50,000 and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle $35,000 for their roles in an on-court altercation in Saturday's playoff game.

  With 1.3 seconds remaining in the game and the Wolves holding a big lead, Jokic initiated the confrontation by shoving Minnesota forward Jaden McDaniels. Randle escalated the situation by getting involved and shoving Nuggets guard Bruce Brown.

  Both Jokic and Randle were ejected from the game. Despite it appearing that several players left their bench areas, no suspensions were handed out by the NBA.

• Donte DiVincenzo To Undergo Achilles Surgery On Sunday

  Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo is undergoing surgery for his ruptured Achilles' tendon on Sunday. DiVincenzo suffered the injury during the Wolves Game 4 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

  The veteran guard is having the surgery done at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. The surgery will be completed by Dr. Martin O'Malley. Dr. O'Malley completed Jayson Tatum's Achilles's repair at HSS in New York last year.

• Anthony Edwards Out Multiple Weeks With Bone Bruise, Hyperextended Knee

  Anthony Edwards has been diagnosed with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee and will miss multiple weeks. Edwards exited the Minnesota Timberwolves' Game 4 win over the Denver Nuggets with the injury. The wolves were relieved Edwards didn't suffer any ligament damagee with the injury.

  Edwards will immediately begin rehabbing the injury in hopes of rejoining the Wolves for their playoff run should they advance out of the first round. Edwards would likely miss at least a portion of the second round. The Wolves have a 3-1 series lead over the Nuggets.

  Minnesota also lost Donte DiVincenzo to injury in Game 4 as he suffered a torn Achilles.