What If Denver Had Seized Control in Game 5? How the Nuggets Nearly Blew Their Chance Against the Wolves

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief

DENVER — The NBA playoffs are a series of small hinges that swing huge doors. For the Denver Nuggets, Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves wasn’t just another playoff game — it was a 48-minute window where the Western Conference semifinals could have tilted irreversibly in their favor. Instead, what unfolded at Ball Arena on May 1, 2026, was a masterclass in how a team can dominate a game statistically, control the flow tactically, and still walk away with nothing but a 102-98 loss that left their series lead hanging by a thread.

What if Denver had made that final push count? What if Nikola Jokić’s 30-foot heave at the buzzer had found net instead of rim? The answers aren’t hypothetical — they’re the difference between a 3-2 series lead and a 2-3 deficit that would have sent the Nuggets scrambling to avoid elimination in Game 6. This isn’t just about a single game. It’s about how close Denver came to burying Minnesota, and how the Wolves’ resilience — particularly in the fourth quarter — exposed the Nuggets’ most glaring playoff vulnerability: closing out games they should win.

The Turning Point That Wasn’t

The Nuggets led by as many as 14 points in the first half, and by 12 with just over eight minutes left in the game. The box score tells a story of dominance: Denver shot 48.7% from the field, outrebounded Minnesota 45-38, and dished out 24 assists to the Wolves’ 18. Jokić finished with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists — a near-triple-double that should have been enough to secure the win. But the fourth quarter told a different story.

With 4:12 remaining and Denver up 92-84, the Wolves went on a 10-0 run that flipped the momentum. Anthony Edwards, who had been relatively quiet for most of the game, scored 8 of those 10 points, including a step-back three over Aaron Gordon that cut the lead to 92-91 with 1:45 left. The Nuggets, who had been in control for 40 minutes, suddenly looked rattled. A missed layup by Jamal Murray, a turnover by Michael Porter Jr., and two free throws by Karl-Anthony Towns later, and the Wolves had a 98-96 lead with 23 seconds on the clock.

Denver had one final chance. Jokić, who had been the best player on the floor all night, took the inbounds pass, dribbled to half court, and launched a 30-foot three at the buzzer. The shot clanked off the rim, and the Wolves escaped with a win that kept their season alive. It was a moment that encapsulated the Nuggets’ entire night: so close, but not close enough.

The Numbers That Explain the Collapse

Denver’s fourth-quarter performance was a study in how not to close out a game. Here’s what the numbers reveal:

• Fourth-quarter scoring: Wolves 30, Nuggets 20
• Turnovers in the final 5 minutes: Nuggets 3, Wolves 0
• Free throws made in the fourth: Wolves 8/8, Nuggets 2/4
• Fast-break points in the fourth: Wolves 6, Nuggets 0

Most damning of all? The Nuggets attempted just two free throws in the entire fourth quarter, despite driving to the basket repeatedly. For a team that relies on Jokić’s playmaking to generate easy points, the lack of fouls drawn in crunch time was a glaring red flag. Minnesota, meanwhile, shot 100% from the line in the final frame, a testament to their composure under pressure.

“We had them right where we wanted them,” Edwards said after the game. “We just had to stay aggressive. We knew if we could get stops and get out in transition, we’d have a chance.”

Tactical Breakdown: What Went Wrong for Denver

The Nuggets’ fourth-quarter collapse wasn’t just about missed shots or turnovers — it was a tactical failure. Here’s what went wrong:

1. The Switch-Up That Backfired

Denver started the fourth quarter with a small-ball lineup, moving Gordon to the 5 and benching Jeff Green. The idea was to space the floor and create mismatches, but it backfired when Towns and Rudy Gobert dominated the offensive glass. The Wolves grabbed four offensive rebounds in the final five minutes, leading to two second-chance buckets that proved crucial.

2. Murray’s Disappearing Act

Jamal Murray, who had been Denver’s second-best player in the series, was invisible in the fourth quarter. He took just two shots in the final frame, both of which missed, and committed two turnovers. His inability to create separation from his defender, Jaden McDaniels, left the Nuggets without a secondary playmaker when Jokić was double-teamed.

3. The Wolves’ Defensive Adjustments

Minnesota coach Chris Finch made a critical adjustment in the fourth quarter, switching McDaniels onto Murray and trapping Jokić every time he touched the ball in the post. The result? Denver’s offense stalled, and the Wolves forced three shot-clock violations in the final six minutes. “We just couldn’t get into our sets,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone admitted. “They took away our first and second options, and we didn’t have a third.”

What So for the Series

Game 5 wasn’t just a missed opportunity — it was a warning sign. The Nuggets now lead the series 3-2, but they’ll have to close it out in Game 6 at Target Center, where the Wolves have lost just twice all season. If Denver can’t locate a way to execute in the fourth quarter, they’ll be forced to a Game 7 in Denver, where anything can happen.

For Minnesota, the win was a lifeline. The Wolves are now playing with house money, and their confidence is sky-high. Edwards, who scored 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, is playing the best basketball of his career. Towns, who had been criticized for his lack of playoff production, finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds. If the Wolves can steal another game in Minneapolis, they’ll have all the momentum heading into a decisive Game 7.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Game Matters Beyond the Series

This series isn’t just about the Nuggets and Wolves — it’s a microcosm of the Western Conference’s brutal playoff landscape. The winner of this series will likely face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Conference Finals, a team that has been resting stars and building chemistry for a deep playoff run. For Denver, a loss in Game 6 would be devastating not just for their championship aspirations, but for their reputation as a team that can’t close out big games.

The Nuggets have been here before. In the 2023 Western Conference Finals, they blew a 3-1 series lead to the Los Angeles Lakers before rallying to win Game 7. This time, they might not get that chance. If they lose Game 6, they’ll be staring down a Game 7 against a Wolves team that has nothing to lose.

Key Takeaways

• Denver’s fourth-quarter execution was abysmal. The Nuggets were outscored 30-20 in the final frame, committed three turnovers in the last five minutes, and shot just 2/4 from the free-throw line.
• Anthony Edwards is the X-factor. He scored 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead bucket with 23 seconds left.
• Minnesota’s defensive adjustments stifled Denver’s offense. The Wolves trapped Jokić in the post and switched McDaniels onto Murray, forcing the Nuggets into uncomfortable shots.
• Game 6 is a must-win for Denver. If the Nuggets lose, they’ll face a Game 7 in Denver, where the Wolves will be playing with house money.
• The winner of this series will likely face the Thunder in the Conference Finals. Oklahoma City has been resting stars and building chemistry for a deep playoff run.

What’s Next

Game 6 tips off on Thursday, May 3, at 9:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. Local time) at Target Center in Minneapolis. If necessary, Game 7 will be played on Sunday, May 5, at Ball Arena in Denver. The winner will advance to the Western Conference Finals to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.

For the Nuggets, the message is clear: they can’t afford another fourth-quarter collapse. For the Wolves, the goal is simple — keep playing with the same desperation, and they might just pull off the upset of the playoffs.

What do you think? Can the Nuggets close out the series in Game 6, or will the Wolves force a Game 7? Share your thoughts in the comments below.