In other games, the Toronto Raptors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, ending a 12-game playoff losing streak against the Cavs.
Published April 24, 2026
Jaden McDaniels and Minnesota showed even more defensive prowess against rising Denver, earning a commanding 113-96 victory in Game 3 on Thursday night and taking a 2-1 lead in the first round of the NBA playoff series.
For the Timberwolves, McDaniels had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Ayo Dosunmu had 25 points and nine assists off the bench, and Donte DiVincenzo had 15 points and four steals.
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Rudy Gobert followed up his effort in Game 2 against Nikola Jokic by holding back the three-time MVP with an ugly 7-of-26 shooting performance, and the Timberwolves set a postseason franchise record by allowing just 11 points to the Nuggets in a tone-setting first quarter.
For the Nuggets, who were without Aaron Gordon with a calf injury, Jokic finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds, giving him all of his energy as the starting power forward, which was too little, too late. Jamal Murray scored 16 points on just 5-of-17 shooting.
“The shooting put us way behind the first eight balls of the game,” Nuggets manager David Adelman said.
“We only gave up 25 points in the first quarter, which is actually a very good number. We just had a hard time making shots tonight. We’ve got to get better physically on offense.”
McCollum leads Hawks to victory
CJ McCollum’s fadeaway jumper with 12.5 seconds left spoiled New York’s night again, giving them a 109-108 victory over the Atlanta Hawks and a 2-1 lead over the Knicks in the first round of their playoff series on Thursday night.
After scoring a shocking goal in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, McCollum stole the ball with his team leading by one point. He again came back from 4.5 meters (15 feet) and finished with 23 points.
The Hawks led for most of the game, building an 18-point lead at the half. But New York came back up 108-105 on Jalen Brunson’s 3-point play with 1:03 left.
After Jalen Johnson, who led the Hawks with 24 points, made a shot, Josh Hart missed a 3-pointer for the Knicks. New York got the offensive rebound but couldn’t get a shot off with 24 seconds left.
The Knicks couldn’t get a shot down the stretch either, with Jonathan Kuminga knocking the ball away from Brunson and the horn sounded.
Kuminga had a great night for the Hawks off the bench, finishing with 21 points.
OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 points, Brunson contributed 26 points and Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 21 points. It wasn’t enough for New York.
Game 4 will be played Saturday in Atlanta.
Raptors cut Cavs’ series record in half
Scottie Barnes set a playoff career-high with 33 points and 11 assists, RJ Barrett added a playoff career-high 33 points, and Toronto defeated Cleveland, ending a 12-game playoff losing streak against the Cavaliers.
Collin Murray-Boyles scored 22 points, Jamison Battle scored all 14 of his points in the final quarter and Brandon Ingram added 12 points as the Raptors pushed Cleveland’s lead to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Game 4 will be played in Toronto on Sunday afternoon.
Murray Boyles became the first Raptors rookie to score 20 or more points in a playoff game.
The Cavaliers won Game 2 on Monday, tying the NBA postseason record for consecutive wins against a single opponent, but could not extend that record in Toronto.
James Harden scored 18 points, and Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Max Strus each added 15 points.
