Jamal Murray-less Nuggets struggle against Timberwolves’ defense in blowout loss

On a disastrous night inside Ball Arena, the Nuggets were subjects of a defensive masterclass from the Timberwolves.

With Minnesota threatening to take the first seed in the Western Conference, a Jamal Murray-less Denver squad struggled to find its offensive rhythm against one of the league’s best defenses, as it was held to 39.8% shooting in a 111-98 loss on Friday.

Denver entered the home contest with a half-game lead over the Timberwolves and Thunder for first place in the West. The Nuggets also needed a victory and a Kings’ loss to officially clinch a playoff spot. Following the loss, Denver dropped to third place at 51-23.

Without Murray to help run the show for the fourth straight game, the Nuggets’ energy didn’t match the high stakes.

In the second quarter, the Nuggets were called for a shot clock violation. On the following possession, Nikola Jokic missed a 3-pointer and after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope grabbed an offensive rebound, his layup attempt was blocked by Kyle Anderson. Near the end of the third quarter, Jokic’s frustration was evident when his errant pass soared into the crowd with 25 seconds on the clock.

Denver played with a greater sense of urgency midway through the fourth quarter, where it outscored Minnesota 34-24. Center DeAndre Jordan threw down an alley-oop dunk. Later in the quarter, Jokic converted back-to-back baskets with 5:50 left. Christian Braun buried a 3-pointer before Jokic converted a fadeaway shot to cut the deficit down to 14 points.

But time wasn’t on Denver’s side. The Nuggets have lost back-to-back games for the first time since dropping three straight before the All-Star break.

“This is not last year. We do not have a cushion (in the Western Conference standings),” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “We’re in a dogfight.”

Despite the Nuggets’ struggles, they had five players to score in double figures. Jokic led the Nuggets with 32 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon each had 14 points. Guard Reggie Jackson registered a double-double (12 points and 10 assists), while Jordan added 11 points off the bench.

In the early minutes of the first, Porter seemed to be the only one to have the upper hand against Minnesota’s defense. He nailed a 3-pointer from the corner off an assist from Gordon. Moments later, Porter stepped back and drilled another outside shot. Four of Denver’s eight field goals in the first quarter came from the 3-point line.

The Timberwolves made it hard for the Nuggets to score in the paint. Denver opened the game with a one-handed dunk from Gordon. But it didn’t score another inside basket until Gordon’s game-tying layup with 4:32 remaining in the first. Minnesota, on the other hand, didn’t have problems scoring around the rim. Center Rudy Gobert scored five consecutive points in the final seconds to help the Timberwolves take a 33-26 lead at the end of the first.

“We came out and got punched in the mouth,” Jackson said. “(Minnesota) wanted to come in here and tried to punk us. They were very successful in the first half.”

Denver dug itself into a hole in the second quarter. Jackson missed back-to-back layup attempts before Jordan was called for a three-second violation. With 8:32 left in the quarter, Jackson attacked the basket but missed another layup, as his attempt was heavily contested by Gobert.

Minnesota took advantage of the Nuggets’ offensive struggles. Nickeil Alexander-Walker buried a pair of 3-pointers. And with 6:40 left in the second, guard Jordan McLaughlin’s 3-pointer gave Minnesota a 50-37 lead.

“We were not ready to play,” Malone said. “We weren’t physical (or) aggressive. …Our players, (especially) in the first half, (did not play) close to the necessary level of energy (and) urgency that you need against a very good team.”

Trailing by 19 points at the start of the third, Denver didn’t do much to cut into the large deficit. Porter missed two straight shots then Gordon’s turnover resulted in a 3-pointer from Minnesota guard Mike Conley. With 7:26 left in the quarter, Conley hit another outside shot, extending the Timberwolves’ lead to 77-52 and completely silencing the Nuggets faithful.

Denver’s struggles mounted when it missed five consecutive shot attempts. Jackson ended the drought with a 3-pointer, but the shot only cut the deficit down to 23 points with 3:32 remaining.

The Nuggets shot 33.3% percent in the third.

“When you struggle to make shots, everything else has to be great,” Malone said. “We didn’t make shots. We didn’t guard. We didn’t do nothing.”