Bruce Brown

Nuggets and Timberwolves can’t escape each other. Their rivalry is escalating in 2026 NBA playoffs.

As Jaden McDaniels ups the stakes in Round 3 of Nuggets-Timberwolves, here's why it has persisted in recent years as an elite rivalry.

Ayo Dosunmu (13) of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Aaron Gordon (32) of the Denver Nuggets drives on Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter of the Timberwolves鈥� 119-114 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 20, 2026. Minnesota tied the best-of-seven series 1-1. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Why Jaden McDaniels鈥� insult of Denver Nuggets defense was ironic | Analysis

4 days ago

Rudy Gobert (27) of the Minnesota Timberwolves throws Jonas Valanciunas (17) of the Denver Nuggets into Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 20, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Renck: Does Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert have cheat code for Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic? Mouthy Timberwolves seem to think so.

5 days ago

Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets defends Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Nuggets defense jolted awake in Game 1 vs. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves. Is it sustainable throughout NBA playoffs?

By Bennett Durando

April 19, 2026 at 3:49 p.m.

The Nuggets have been waiting for the NBA playoffs to turn up the volume on...

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to drawing a shooting foul during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Renck: Timberwolves, Chris Finch cry foul on Nuggets’ Jamal Murray. Try guarding him better.

By Troy Renck

April 18, 2026 at 7:11 p.m.

Jamal Murray gets a fair whistle and now suddenly he is gaming the system? Come...

Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets roars after dunking during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 116-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Nuggets hold off Timberwolves for ‘grimy’ Game 1 win to open NBA playoffs

By Bennett Durando

April 18, 2026 at 6:39 p.m.

Nikola Jokic went for a triple-double, and Denver's defense was as good as its been...

Denver Nuggets fans erupt after a clutch make by Nikola Jokic (15) during the overtime period of the Nuggets鈥� 137-132 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Renck: If Nikola Jokic leads Nuggets to another NBA championship, it makes him top 10 all-time great

By Troy Renck

April 17, 2026 at 1:26 p.m.

The only thing standing between the Nuggets center and entry into the NBA's list of...

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets spins as Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, March 1, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions: In NBA playoffs rivalry rematch, who gets the last laugh?

By Bennett Durando

April 17, 2026 at 1:53 p.m.

As the Denver Nuggets enter the 2025 NBA playoffs as the No. 3 seed in...

Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to making a three pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, March 1, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Keeler: Duck Minnesota? Here’s why Nuggets, Tim Hardaway Jr. will make Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves fans quack up

By Sean Keeler

April 13, 2026 at 8:33 p.m.

The Nuggets that Minnesotans have labeled an easy mark didn't have this version of Peyton...

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets walks off the court sporting a plum suit after the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena in Denver on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

David Adelman on another Nuggets-Timberwolves NBA playoff series: ‘We’re not ducking anybody’

By Bennett Durando

April 13, 2026 at 3:17 p.m.

After a bizarre final weekend of the regular season filled with plot twists, the Nuggets...

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives against Spurs center Mason Plumlee (45) during the first half Sunday, April 12, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Nuggets get Timberwolves in first-round NBA playoff series after beating Spurs in season finale

By Bennett Durando

April 13, 2026 at 6:19 a.m.

Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of...

Jalen Pickett of the Denver Nuggets reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 5, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nuggets defeated the 76ers 125-124 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Ranking Nuggets’ 15 craziest games of NBA season, from Nikola Jokic masterpieces to a Steph Curry miracle

By Bennett Durando

April 12, 2026 at 1:32 p.m.

This 2025-26 regular season was one of the Nuggets' wildest rides in years. These were...

Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets takes a breath as he sits between assitant coaches Popeye Jones and David Adelman during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Keeler: Nuggets purged Michael Malone a year ago. Are Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray better off?

By Sean Keeler

April 7, 2026 at 10:13 p.m.

What would've happened in those 17 tilts the Nuggets played earlier this season without Nikola...

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