Playoff Primer: Nuggets, Timberwolves set for major showdown in second round of NBA playoffs

After quickly dispatching their first-round opponents in five or fewer games, the Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves are set for a heavyweight clash in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The divisional rivals will meet in a rematch of a first-round series from last year’s playoffs when the Nuggets won in five games — but few are expecting a similar series this time around.

Here’s everything you need to know:

The superstars

Nuggets center Nikola Jokić

28.2 points per game, 16.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 59.1% field goals, 92.6% free throws in Round 1 vs. Lakers

Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards

31 points per game, 8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2 steals, 51.2% field goals, 43.8% 3-pointers, 83.9% free throws in Round 1 vs. Suns

Series schedule

Game 1: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves (Saturday, Time & TV TBD)

Game 2: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves (Monday)

Game 3: Nuggets at Timberwolves (Thursday, May 9)

Game 4: Nuggets at Timberwolves (Saturday, May 11)

Game 5*: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves (Tuesday, May 14)

Game 6*: Nuggets at Timberwolves (Thursday, May 16)

Game 7*: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves (Sunday, May 19)

* - if necessary

Head-to-head

This season: 2-2

All-time: Nuggets lead 89-56

Nikola Jokic era: 22-13

Franchise playoff history

Nuggets: sixth straight postseason appearance, 102-133 record all-time in playoffs, one NBA championship (2023)

Timberwolves: second straight postseason appearance, 25-42 record all-time in playoffs, one Western Conference finals appearance (2004)

Familiar faces

Minnesota president of basketball operations Tim Connelly

• Served as Nuggets general manager and president of basketball operations from 2013-22
• In second season with T-Wolves (98-66 record)

Nuggets GM Calvin Booth

• Spent time in the Timberwolves front office from 2013-17 as a scout and later as the director of player development
• Joined the Nuggets as an assistant general manager in 2017, promoted to general manager in 2020
• Took over control of basketball operations upon Connelly’s departure in 2022 (Nuggets have a 110-54 record since)

Minnesota head coach Chris Finch

• Spent one season on Michael Malone’s staff in Denver as associate head coach in 2016-17
• In fourth season with T-Wolves (160-127 record)
• Has Minnesota in the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 20 years

Minnesota guard Monte Morris

• Selected by the Nuggets in the 2nd round (No. 51 overall) in the 2017 NBA draft
• Played five seasons in Denver, helping the team reach the playoffs four times
• Averaged a career-best 12.6 points per game with Nuggets in 2021-22
• Traded to Washington along with Will Barton for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith prior to 2022-23 season
• Traded to Minnesota from Detroit at this year’s trade deadline (has yet to appear in a playoff game for the T-Wolves)

Nuggets assistant coach Ryan Saunders

• Previously served as head coach of the Timberwolves, starting his tenure in Minnesota as an assistant for his late father, Flip
• 43-94 record over parts of three seasons in Minnesota
• In second season on Malone’s staff in Denver

Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman

• Previously spent four seasons with the Timberwolves, first as a player development coach under his father, Rick, then as an assistant coach
• In his seventh season as an assistant coach on Malone’s staff

Injuries

Nuggets

• Jamal Murray (played in Game 5 vs. Lakers with left calf strain)
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (exited and returned in Game 5 vs. Lakers with left ankle sprain)
• Vlatko Cancar (out for season - knee)

Timberwolves

• Kyle Anderson (hip, day-to-day)
• Head coach Chris Finch (torn right Patellar tendon, needs surgery, status for second round TBD)

Venues

Ball Arena (21,000 capacity)

Target Center (20,000)

Tickets

Game 1 at Ball Arena

Upper level: $159-$199 per ticket

Lower level: $289-$699

Courtside: $2,400+

Betting odds

Nuggets -180 favorite to win the series (per SuperBook Colorado)