Are the Timberwolves eliminated if they lose against the Nuggets in Game 6?

The Minnesota Timberwolves are starting at the precipice. Despite taking a 2-0 lead in the series against Denver with impressive showings from both Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, reigning champions showed dogged determination in Games 3, 4 and 5 to record a trio of impressive wins and now it’s Minnesota who are on the ropes.

Nikola Jokic has been at the heart of this Denver Nuggets revival with the Serbian player celebrating his third MVP trophy ceremony by scoring 40 points and handing out 13 assists as the Nuggets overcame the Timberwolves 112-97 in Tuesday’s’ Game.

The series heads back to Minneapolis for one game with a packed Target Centre hoping the home team can rediscover the form of the opening two games and take the series to a decider which would be staged in the mile-high city next Sunday. A loss on Thursday night would bring the curtain down on the 2023-24 season for Chris Finch and his men.

On the ropes

On Tuesday in Denver, Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards struggled finishing 5-for-15 and only managing 18 points with nine assists as Karl-Anthony Towns bagged 23 points with Rudy Gobert adding a further 18 points with Minnesota forced to make do without point guard Mike Conley who is still struggling with an Achilles injury.

“We’re hopeful Mike can go in Game 6,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “It comes down to Game 6 at home and that’s where we want to be.”

Edwards attempted just eight shots in the first half, hitting only one, and he didn’t take a shot in the first seven-plus minutes of the third quarter before Jokic took over to dominate the floor and the game and possibly the series.