Timberwolves defeat Nuggets in Game 2, leaving Denver with a 2-0 playoff series deficit

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 27 points and 12 rebounds, Anthony Edwards added 27 points, and the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 106-80 on Monday to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series.

Minnesota won without center Rudy Gobert, who was away from the club due to the birth of his first child. The Timberwolves, who have a 2-1 lead over the reigning NBA champions, return to Minneapolis on Friday for Game 3 of the best-of-seven series.

Even without Gobert, a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, the Timberwolves limited Denver to a season low in points. Jamal Murray had eight points on 3-for-18 shooting but a career-high 13 rebounds, while Nikola Jokic ended with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

Karl-Anthony Towns reacts during the Timberwolves’ Game 2 victory over the Nuggets. Có thể là hình ảnh về bóng rổ và văn bản cho biết 'ークー VOFK Go Presete MILE HIGH 20 24 PLAYOFFS ネ 106 FINAL １06年80 80 80祭樂'

Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 20 points, while Justin Holiday scored 13 off the bench. Reggie Jackson left the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent injury. Denver shuts down Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns in Game 2

Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each scored 14 points for the Timberwolves, who have won six straight playoff games. Home - Denver Stiffs

Minnesota’s offense appeared seamless, with Towns scoring 20 points in the first half and the team shooting 54.5 percent before halftime. The Timberwolves took control with a strong run that spanned the first and second quarters.

Leading 18-17, the Timberwolves outscored Denver 24-5 to go up 20 following a Reid 3-pointer with 8:05 left in the half. The Nuggets closed to 43-28, but Minnesota finished strong in the second quarter to lead 61-35 at halftime.

OPINION: Anthony Edwards has looked like Jordan, and it’s fine to say that. DENVER, CO - MAY 6: Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets lies on the floor expecting a charging call against Karl-Anthony Towns (32) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 6, 2024. The call would not come resulting in an eruption by Nuggets head coach Michael Malone. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Denver struggled in the third quarter, and the Timberwolves took advantage, leading by as many as 32 on Alexander-Walker’s 3-pointer with 7:20 remaining.

The Nuggets recovered their offensive rhythm late in the third, cutting the deficit to 82-60 heading into the fourth. Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets gets mobbed by Karl-Anthony Towns (32), Naz Reid (11) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 6, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Jackson opened the final quarter with a 3-pointer to cut the margin to 19, but Denver then missed two shots from deep. Towns converted two free throws, and Alexander-Walker followed with his fourth 3-pointer to put it 87-65 with 9:18 remaining.

Another surge extended the lead to 97-72 as Minnesota sealed the deal.