Nuggets to Face Timberwolves in First Playoff Round

Games will be held at Ball Arena in Denver

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:41pm

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with overlapping planes of navy blue, gold, and burgundy representing the players and court.The Nuggets' playoff matchup with the Timberwolves promises an intense, high-stakes series between two Western Conference rivals.Denver Today

The Denver Nuggets have secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, setting up a first-round playoff matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The series will be played at Ball Arena in Denver.

Why it matters

The Nuggets' third seed gives them home-court advantage over the Timberwolves, who finished the regular season as the No. 6 seed. This could provide a significant boost for the Nuggets as they aim to make a deep playoff run.

The details

The Nuggets finished the regular season with a 53-29 record, while the Timberwolves went 47-35. This will be the first time the two teams have met in the playoffs since 2004.

  • The first-round playoff series between the Nuggets and Timberwolves will begin on April 16, 2026.

The players

Denver Nuggets

An NBA team based in Denver, Colorado that plays in the Western Conference.

Minnesota Timberwolves

An NBA team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that plays in the Western Conference.

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What’s next

The Nuggets and Timberwolves will play a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the second round of the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Nuggets' third seed gives them a favorable matchup against the Timberwolves, but the playoffs are always unpredictable. Fans in Denver are eager to see if the Nuggets can make a deep postseason run.