MINNEAPOLIS — In a thrilling finish, Anthony Edwards scored a pivotal 7-foot floater with just 25.7 seconds remaining, while Rudy Gobert sealed the victory for the Minnesota Timberwolves by making two free throws, leading the team to a narrow 119-116 win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

Edwards was the standout for the Timberwolves, contributing 29 points to the scoreboard. Gobert complemented the effort with 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Julius Randle added 23 points along with seven assists. The Timberwolves managed to recover after facing a challenging 25-3 scoring run from the Nuggets during the fourth quarter.

Nikola Jokic, the star for the Nuggets, had an impressive performance with 26 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds. He made two crucial free throws with 2:30 left in the game, putting Denver ahead 116-109. However, Minnesota mounted a comeback to steal the win. Jokic could have equalized the game at 119 but missed a corner three-pointer due to Gobert’s defensive pressure with only 2.3 seconds on the clock.

Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets offensively with a strong game, scoring 31 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. also contributed with 26 points. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, point guard Jamal Murray exited the game in the third quarter due to concussion protocol after a collision with Randle.

In terms of team performance, the Nuggets face a significant challenge in managing the responsibilities of three-time NBA MVP Jokic. Both Gordon and Porter provided substantial contributions, but the lack of depth remains a pressing concern, as indicated by their bench’s production of just 13 points, compared to the Timberwolves’ 31.

For the Timberwolves, despite finishing last season as the league’s top defensive team, they’ve experienced some challenges defensively, particularly in transition play, conceding 22 fast-break points to the Nuggets.

A key moment in the game occurred when Braun completed a dramatic dunk over the towering 7-foot-2 Gobert with 5:14 left on the clock, followed by a provocative taunt. This exchange led to Gobert grabbing Braun by the neck, resulting in both players receiving technical fouls and the benches clearing amidst the scuffle.

Noteworthy in the matchup, Gordon achieved his second-highest scoring total in his tenure with the Nuggets, shooting an impressive 11 of 18 from the field.

Looking ahead, the Nuggets will host the Utah Jazz on Saturday, while the Timberwolves will travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on the same day.