When the Denver Nuggets (53-29) meet the Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40) in Game 3 on Friday night, they will be looking to grab a dominating series lead. Two teams have split their previous ten encounters. The Nuggets are up 2-0 in the series.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves injuries: 3 Questionable, 3 Out
In the first two games of the series, the Nuggets successfully defended their home floor. They are on the road for the first time in this series and will try to maintain their momentum with a win over the Timberwolves, which would give them their fourth win in a row and a 3-0 series lead.
Denver scores 115.8 points per game. In their most recent game, they scored 122 points.
In Game 2, Denver were led by Jamal Murray, who had 40 points, three rebounds, and five assists while Nikola Jokic finished the game with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Jokic is expected to play in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Timberwolves on Friday, according to Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com.
Jokic had a slight wrist injury before to Game 2, but he played through it and finished with 37 minutes.
Given his likely tag, Jokic should be expected to suit up and handle a full workload again on Friday.
Nikola Jokic had a solid game and came close to a triple-double on Wednesday, but Murray carried the club in the scoring column and surpassed the 40-point mark for the first time since Feb. 4, when he scored 41 points in a road win over the Hawks.
Denver has been strong defensively in this series, allowing 96.5 points per game. They allowed 113 points in their previous game and will need to improve if they are to win.
The Timberwolves fought harder in the second game of the series, but they couldn’t overcome the Nuggets’ strong shooting.
They’ll try to snap their losing trend with a win on Friday, which would be their second in the previous four games and their first of the series.
Minnesota scores 115.2 points per game. In their most recent game, they scored 113 points.
Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards concluded with 41 points, four assists, and three blocks, while Rudy Gobert had 19 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
Gobert (back) is doubtful for this game.
Gobert is still dealing with back spasms, but he has played in the first two playoff games.
Over the first two games of the series, he’s averaged 13.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in 32.5 minutes per game, and it wouldn’t be unexpected to see him available again on Friday.
Injury Report T-Wolves:
| PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
| Jaylen Nowell | Knee | Game Time Decision |
| Rudy Gobert | Back | Game Time Decision |
| Jaden McDaniels | Hand | Expected to be out until at least Apr 30 |
| Naz Reid | Wrist | Expected to be out until at least May 12 |
Injury Report Nuggets:
| PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
| Nikola Jokic | Wrist | Game Time Decision |
| Collin Gillespie | Lower Leg | Out for the season |
