Wolves come up clutch in final minutes, overcome late deficit to beat Nuggets

Nickeil Alexander-Walker made big play after big play in the final minutes.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards looks to pass against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter at Target Center in Minneapolis on Nov. 1, 2024. / Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Chris Finch said the energy changes when Nickeil Alexander-Walker enters the game for the Timberwolves.

On Friday night, Alexander-Walker changed the energy — and the outcome of the game — as the Wolves overcame a 10-point deficit in the final three minutes and beat the Denver Nuggets 119-116 at Target Center in Minneapolis.

With 3 minutes, 13 seconds remaining, Alexander-Walker hit a 3-pointer that got the Wolves within seven. He got a steal, took it to the rim on the other end and drew a foul, sinking both free throws to get Minnesota within five. After Nikola Jokic made a pair of free throws, Alexander-Walker came right back and hit a 3. He followed that with yet another steal, which turned into three more points on a shot from deep from Anthony Edwards. Alexander-Walker got another stop after that.

"Nickeil has played some of our best, most consistent basketball through these five games," Finch said. " ... Nickeil was the right answer tonight."

Alexander-Walker finished his night with eight points, five assists and three steals and a team-best plus-minus of plus-27.

Edwards had a pretty nice night, too, and his floater with 25 seconds remaining were the go-ahead points for the Wolves.

Edwards finished with a team-high 29 points, four assists and four rebounds.

On the other end, Rudy Gobert held firm in the paint as Christian Braun, who dunked on Gobert earlier in the game, missed the contested layup and fouled Gobert, who hit the ensuing free throws to close out the game. The Wolves ended the game on a 10-0 run, overcoming mistakes that nearly resulted in what would have been a discouraging loss.

Gobert tallied 17 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocks in an all-around great performance.

The Wolves led by as many as 16 in the game and as many as 12 in the fourth quarter before nearly squandering it all. Some of their same issues remained: They lost the rebounding battle 46-38; their 17 turnovers turned into 19 points for the Nuggets; and the Wolves gave up 22 points in transition and only produced 10 fast-break points themselves.

But for all of the issues, everything came together in the final minutes. Alexander-Walker absolutely shined. Edwards made all the right decisions and hit the two biggest shots of the night. Gobert made a one final defensive stand. And the Timberwolves walked out of Target Center on the winning end after erasing a 10-point deficit in the final three minutes.