Nuggets Coach Adelman Embraces Timberwolves Playoff Rematch: 'We're Not Ducking Anybody'

Denver and Minnesota set for third postseason clash in four years after Nuggets clinch No. 3 seed with win over Spurs.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:21am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette of navy, gold, blue, and green.The long-standing playoff rivalry between the Nuggets and Timberwolves is set to resume, with the two teams meeting in the postseason for the third time in four years.Denver Today

After securing the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman embraced the team's upcoming playoff matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, saying 'We're not ducking anybody.' This will be the third time in four years the two teams have met in the playoffs, with the Nuggets and Timberwolves developing a rivalry over that span.

Why it matters

The Nuggets-Timberwolves playoff series has become one of the most anticipated matchups in the NBA over the past few seasons. The two teams know each other well, with several key figures like Tim Connelly and Chris Finch having ties to both organizations. Their physical, high-scoring battles have made for must-see TV, and this latest chapter should be no different as both teams look to advance in the postseason.

The details

Despite some speculation that the Nuggets were trying to avoid the Timberwolves, coach Adelman insisted that Denver was not 'ducking anybody.' The Nuggets rested their starters in the final two regular season games, but Adelman said that was purely about injury avoidance and not about manipulating the playoff matchup. Nuggets star Nikola Jokic played limited minutes in the finale against the Spurs, but still scored 23 first-half points, showing he was engaged and ready for the postseason.

  • The Nuggets clinched the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs with their win over the Spurs on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • The Nuggets and Timberwolves will begin their playoff series on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.

The players

David Adelman

The head coach of the Denver Nuggets, who has guided the team to the playoffs in three of the last four seasons.

Nikola Jokic

The two-time NBA MVP and the centerpiece of the Nuggets' roster, who played limited minutes but still scored 23 first-half points in the regular season finale.

Anthony Edwards

The star guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who has developed a rivalry with the Nuggets after leading a 20-point comeback in Game 7 of their playoff series two years ago.

Tim Connelly

The president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who previously held the same role with the Denver Nuggets.

Chris Finch

The head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who has faced off against the Nuggets multiple times in the playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“We're not ducking anybody. And everybody talks about the best matchup and all these things. You don't know what's gonna happen. And if you're asking to play against Kevin Durant … what? So the opponent's the opponent. And we have a ton of respect for them, as I know they do for us. It's gonna be a hell of a series.”

— David Adelman, Head Coach, Denver Nuggets

“We won the game. So we didn't mess with the game. Simple as that. We did everything. No matter who's playing, we played hard. Coming out of timeouts, after the halftime, during the quarters, we played hard no matter what. And that's our face. That's our identity. That's what we're gonna do until the end of the season.”

— Jonas Valanciunas, Backup Center, Denver Nuggets

What’s next

The Nuggets and Timberwolves will begin their playoff series on Tuesday, April 15, 2026. The winner will advance to the Western Conference semifinals.

The takeaway

The Nuggets-Timberwolves playoff rivalry has become must-see TV in the NBA, with the two teams meeting in the postseason for the third time in four years. Despite some speculation that Denver was trying to avoid Minnesota, coach Adelman made it clear the Nuggets are embracing the challenge and are not 'ducking anybody.' This series should be another hard-fought, high-intensity battle between two talented, evenly matched teams.