Timberwolves Punch West Semifinals Ticket, Top Nuggets 4-2

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves advanced to the Western Conference semifinals with a hard-fought 4-2 series win over the Denver Nuggets in the 2026 NBA Playoffs first round, capping the triumph in Game 6 at a raucous Target Center. Anthony Edwards led the charge with a playoff-career-high 40 points, powering the Wolves' physical defense and timely execution on both ends. Minnesota controlled the series through superior depth, outrebounding Denver and forcing 18 turnovers in the decisive matchup[1][2]. Edwards, the 24-year-old Minneapolis native and former No. 1 pick from Georgia, has emerged as the franchise cornerstone, averaging 28.7 points per game in the series. Supporting him were Julius Randle with 22 points and 12 rebounds in Game 6, and Naz Reid off the bench with 15 points, showcasing the Wolves' bench depth that outscored Denver's reserves 48-32 across the series. Coach Chris Finch credited the team's grit: "Our physicality wore them down," he said postgame[1]. This marks Minnesota's third consecutive West Semifinals trip, building on their 2024 Game 7 miracle comeback — the largest in playoff history — against these same Nuggets. Playing before 18,000-plus purple-clad fans in downtown Minneapolis, the Wolves improved to 4-2 in first-round series under Finch. Next up: a likely clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder or Los Angeles Lakers, with Game 1 set for May 5 at Target Center[1][2]. Local excitement swelled across the Twin Cities, with Vikings stars Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison among those courtside cheering the Wolves' defensive masterclass. Edwards, donning his signature 'Ant-Man' flair, declared postgame: "This is our time in Minnesota." The victory cements the Timberwolves as legit contenders from the State of Hockey[1].