On a dismal night inside Ball Arena, the Timberwolves delivered a defensive masterclass to the Nuggets.

With Minnesota threatening to grab the Western Conference’s top seed, a Jamal Murray-less Denver team struggled to find an offensive rhythm against one of the league’s finest defenses, being held to 39.8% shooting in a 111-98 loss on Friday.

Denver led the Timberwolves and Thunder by a half-game heading into the home game in the Western Conference. The Nuggets also needed a win and a Kings loss to formally clinch a postseason spot.

For the fourth consecutive game, the Nuggets’ intensity fell short of the high stakes.

During the second quarter, the Nuggets were called for a shot clock violation. Nikola Jokic missed a 3-pointer on the next possession, and when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope collected an offensive rebound, Kyle Anderson blocked his layup attempt. Jokic’s displeasure was clear near the end of the third quarter, when his wayward pass flew into the crowd with 25 seconds left on the clock.

Denver played with a stronger feeling of urgency in the fourth quarter. Center DeAndre Jordan executed an alley-oop dunk. With 5:50 remaining in the quarter, Jokic made two consecutive baskets. Christian Braun hit a three-pointer before Jokic made a fadeaway shot to reduce the lead to 14 points.

But time was not on Denver’s side. The Nuggets have dropped consecutive games for the first time since dropping three in a row before to the All-Star break.

Despite their problems, the Nuggets had five players who scored in double figures. Jokic led the Nuggets with 32 points, ten rebounds, and five assists. Forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon both scored 14 points. Guard Reggie Jackson had a double-double (12 points and 10 assists), and Jordan added 11 points off the bench.

Porter appeared to be the only one with an advantage over Minnesota’s defense in the first few minutes. He hit a 3-pointer from the corner after Gordon assisted him. Porter then stepped back and fired another outside shot. In the first quarter, Denver made four of its eight field goals from the three-point line.

The Timberwolves made it difficult for the Nuggets to score inside the paint. Denver started the game with a one-handed slam by Gordon. However, it didn’t score another inside basket until Gordon’s game-tying layup with 4:32 left in the first. Minnesota, on the other hand, had no trouble scoring at the rim. Rudy Gobert scored five consecutive points in the final seconds to give the Timberwolves a 33-26 lead at the break.

Denver dug itself a hole in the second quarter. Jackson missed consecutive layup attempts before Jordan was called for a three-second violation. With 8:32 left in the quarter, Jackson rushed the hoop but missed another layup because Gobert contested his attempt.

Minnesota took advantage of Denver’s offensive difficulties. Nickeil Alexander-Walker hit a pair of three-pointers. With 6:40 remaining in the second, guard Jordan McLaughlin’s 3-pointer gave Minnesota a 50-37 advantage.

At the outset of the third quarter, Denver trailed by 19 points and did little to reduce the big hole. Porter missed two consecutive attempts before Gordon’s error led to a 3-pointer from Minnesota guard Mike Conley. With 7:26 remaining in the fourth, Conley made another outside shot, extending the Timberwolves’ advantage to 77-52 and effectively quieting the Nuggets fans.

Denver’s difficulties worsened when it missed five straight shots. Jackson broke the drought with a three-pointer, but it only reduced the score to 23 points with 3:32 left.

The Nuggets shot 33.3% in the third.