In Denver’s only home game of the preseason, the Timberwolves handed them a 114-112 loss. The Nugget starters played well and kept the team afloat but once they went out, Denver struggled to maintain the lead. MPJ shot well from three going 4-8 with 16 points and Jokic flirted with a triple-double scoring 10 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds.
The story of the game was Bones Hyland. He was electric and when the Nuggets needed it most, Bones ignited some energy in the group. In the first two preseason games, he shot two deep threes with 2:00 or less and missed both, but in the 4th quarter tonight, he hit one to give Denver a two-point lead with 10 seconds left. The next possession, he committed a crucial defensive mistake letting Minnesota drive to the basket to send the game into overtime, but his performance revealed his potential to a lot of people tonight.
1st Quarter
- Denver started the game slow as their first possession ended with a shot clock violation but followed up with a Monte and MPJ three
- Defense was stifling early forcing 7 early turnovers, high activity, good rotations, defenders crowding the space of the Timberwolves
- Jokic started out slow committing 2 fouls and no points 5:00 into the game
- Nuggets grew a 21-6 lead with 4:30 left in the quarter
- Shot well from three going 6-11 from three until the bench cooled them off
- Scoring leaders: Morris - 6, Okogie - 4
Score: 26-19 Denver
2nd Quarter
- Timberwolves bench helped diminish the Denver lead, outscored Denver’s bench 17-5 early, 29-9 overall in the half
- Nuggets missed 11 straight shots, 7 of them threes
- Timberwolves climb back from 15 point deficit to take the lead 32-30 with 7:10 left, once Jokic exited the game Denver went on a downward spiral
- Nuggets continued to miss several shots, turned the ball over, and offered the Timberwolves easy transition opportunities
- Nuggets started forcing themselves to the basket and tied the game after being down 6, starters regained stability
- Scoring leaders: Jokic - 10, Towns - 8
Score: 49-47 Denver
3rd Quarter
- Bones started the second half and hit two three-pointers right out of the gate, Denver began the quarter 3-3 from three
- After a hot start, Nuggets lackluster transition defense keeps Minnesota in the ball game
- Bones 4 point play ignited the crowd and gave Denver an 11 point lead
- Denver found their stroke from three in the 3rd and Bones was the highlight of the 3rd with 18 in the quarter
- Scoring leaders: Hyland - 18, Towns - 12
Score: 83-76 Denver
4th Quarter
- Most of the bench began the 4th, looked a little confused on defense and stagnant on the perimeter offensively
- Cancar two straight buckets hindered Minnesota’s momentum for a bit
- Bol continued his sporadic play, one good play followed by a loss of focus at the other end
- Nuggets activity and energy level decreased, committing multiple turnovers and giving away offensive rebounds
- Denver went five straight minutes without scoring a field goal
- If there's one thing Bol can do it’s block shots with 4 in the quarter, helping ignite Denver’s energy and maintain the lead
- Nnaji committed a foul for Timberwolves 4 point play to give them a one-point lead with 22 seconds left
- Bones hit the go-ahead three, four feet beyond the arc to give Denver a two-point lead with 10 seconds left
- Denver gave up a wide-open lane for the dunk to send the game into OT
- Scoring leaders: Hyland - 21, Beasley - 13
Score: 101-101
Overtime
- Nuggets began the quarter with a Cancar three and two free throws from Bol to give them a three-point lead
- Cancar hit another three along with a three-point play next possession to give Denver a 7 point lead
- Some fatigue facilitated a couple Denver turnovers as Minnesota tied the game
- Howard misses the go-ahead three for the win
- Scoring leaders: Bones 21, Beasley 13
Final Score: 114-112
Next game: October 13th @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 6:00 PM