Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Preview & Prediction

Form, key players and matchups

The Timberwolves come into this game riding a hot streak, having won four straight and six of their last seven to sit at 8-4. A number of those victories came against weaker opponents, but Minnesota has looked convincing: three recent wins were blowouts (by roughly 40, 27 and 14 points) and even the tighter one never felt close. Their comeback against Sacramento featured a 13–3 burst to open the third and a 25–8 run to close the game. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle have been the primary sparks — Edwards with big scoring nights and Randle chipping in with strong scoring and rebounding — while Donte DiVincenzo has supplied timely three-point shooting.

Offensively Minnesota is efficient: they rank near the top in three-point and overall field-goal percentage and sit among the league leaders in offensive rating. They average plenty of points and pair that firepower with a middle-of-the-pack defense that’s been good enough to sustain winning stretches.

The Nuggets have been red-hot as well, on a six-game winning streak and standing 9-2. They’ve taken care of business on the road recently, beating quality opponents and showing why they’re a championship-caliber squad. Nikola Jokic remains the engine — when he’s on the court Denver plays faster and much better overall. The bench has shown signs of improvement too; when Jonas Valanciunas has given Jokic a breather, he’s provided solid minutes that help maintain the team’s level.

One eye-catching Jokic performance this season was a 55-point outing that reminded everyone how hard he is to slow down. More broadly, Denver’s offense ranks among the league’s best and they score at a high clip when Jokic is running the show.

Head-to-head, Minnesota swept Denver four times last season, but they split results this year so far — the teams already met once with Denver winning 127–114. That history makes this matchup a little punchier than a typical early-season game.

Injury notes: Minnesota will be without Terrence Shannon Jr. Denver is missing Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun, and Nikola Jokic is listed as questionable.

Prediction and tip-off

This figures to be a competitive game between two in-form teams. The Nuggets arrive with more rest and a strong recent run, and Jokic’s ability to tilt the game in Denver’s favor is a huge factor. Minnesota’s offense is dangerous, but Denver’s depth and the matchup advantages they typically bring make them the pick here.

Tip-off: Saturday, November 15, 2025 — 8:00 p.m. EST.
Prediction: Denver Nuggets to win.