Ayo Dosunmu scored a career-high 43 points off the bench as the Timberwolves won Game 4 without Anthony Edwards. Edwards left in the second quarter with a left-knee injury and did not return. Minnesota’s 112-96 victory put the team up 3-1 in the series; Donte DiVincenzo also left earlier with a right-leg issue, and Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists for Denver.

Star exit shifts tone of a decisive win

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota’s leading scorer and a four-time All-Star, exited in the second quarter with a left knee injury and did not return. His absence was announced on the floor and he remained out for the rest of the game as the Timberwolves secured a 112-96 victory that put them one win from advancing out of the opening round.

Ayo Dosunmu provided the offensive surge off the bench. Key contributors:

  • Ayo Dosunmu — career-high 43 points on 13-for-17 shooting
  • Naz Reid — 17 points off the bench
  • Rudy Gobert — game-tying 15 rebounds, four points

Other injuries deepen concern

Guard Donte DiVincenzo left in the first half after a noncontact right-leg injury. The Timberwolves did not provide a formal medical diagnosis during the postgame period.

With two starters sidelined, Minnesota altered its rotation and relied more heavily on reserves. Dosunmu’s shooting masked short-term lineup gaps, but medical evaluation and immediate recovery plans became the team’s top priorities after the game.

How Denver responded on the court

Denver’s veteran core continued to battle. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 30 points on 10-for-25 shooting. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists but struggled from the field, going 8-for-22 and 0-for-3 from long range. Jokic’s off shooting night reduced Denver’s margin for error as Minnesota mounted a late run to close out the game.

Trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, Denver faces the pressure of elimination in Game 5 at home and will need adjustments to preserve its postseason path.

What the injuries mean for the series

  • Immediate on-court effects: Minnesota loses a primary scoring option in Edwards and may need more bench scoring, interior play and ball-handling from secondary creators.
  • Rotation impacts: DiVincenzo’s right-leg issue could affect depth if he misses time, forcing longer minutes for role players who stepped up in Game 4.
  • Coaching and matchup planning: Opponents and coaches must rework defensive assignments and offensive sets to account for potential absences.

Broader effects off the court

Beyond the game itself, playoff uncertainty around a marquee player’s availability can affect ticketing, local hospitality demand and short-term economic activity tied to postseason games.

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Denver now heads home for Game 5 facing elimination; Minnesota leads the series 3-1, though Edwards did not return after exiting with a left-knee injury and DiVincenzo left with a right-leg problem.

This article was created with AI assistance.