Magic Johnson. Image via: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ star performance turned heads Thursday night, and not just inside Target Center. Even Magic Johnson took notice as Minnesota overwhelmed the Denver Nuggets, 113-96, to take control of the series.
It was the kind of win that shifts belief, not only in the locker room but across the league, where contenders are measured by how they respond under pressure.Game 3 did more than tilt the scoreboard. It revealed a sharper, more connected Timberwolves group that finally looked in sync with its preseason promise. Minnesota didn’t just win. They dictated pace, controlled space, and forced Denver into uncomfortable stretches that never quite eased.
The result felt decisive long before the final buzzer.
Magic Johnson hails Rudy Gobert following the Timberwolves’ win over the Nuggets
There was a clear reason behind the praise. Rudy Gobert anchored everything Minnesota did defensively, especially against Nikola Jokic. Johnson summed it up on social media, writing, “I think the Minnesota Timberwolves will win the Series because they are faster, more athletic, and more physical than the Denver Nuggets.Minnesota Center Rudy Gobert has been doing a great job defending one of the best NBA players today – Nikola Jokic!” Magic Johnson wrote on X.
It wasn’t an exaggeration. Jokic, usually so fluid and composed, looked crowded and rushed. Over the past stretch, his efficiency has dipped, and much of that traces back to Gobert’s positioning, timing, and sheer presence in the paint. Minnesota’s defensive structure tightened around that matchup, and everything else flowed from it.Johnson added another observation after the game, noting, “Last night in the first round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 113-96 to take a 2-1 lead in the Series.
The Timberwolves had six guys in double figures led by Ayo Dosunmu with 25 points!” Johnson wrote in another post.
The Timberwolves dominated the Nuggets
While Gobert set the tone defensively, Ayo Dosunmu brought relentless energy on offense. He attacked the rim with purpose, finishing efficiently and creating easy looks for teammates. His 25-point night came almost entirely in the paint, a sign of how comfortably Minnesota broke down Denver’s defense.Jaden McDaniels added edge early, backing up his pregame words with activity that sparked the opening run. Donte DiVincenzo filled in the gaps, doing the small things that keep momentum alive. Even with quieter stretches from Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, the Timberwolves never lost control.Denver, on the other hand, looked unsettled from the start. The absence of Aaron Gordon hurt, but the bigger issue was rhythm. Minnesota never allowed it to develop.
