Despite holding a clear availability advantage throughout their first-round Western Conference series, the Denver Nuggets were stunned by the Minnesota Timberwolves and eliminated from the 2026 NBA Playoffs in six games. Even with Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo unavailable for the final stretch, Minnesota delivered a resounding upset, leaving the Nuggets to confront difficult questions about their roster construction and the future of their championship window.
The most glaring issue for Denver was the uncharacteristically poor postseason performances from their two franchise cornerstones. For the first time in recent memory, Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray found themselves labeled among the most disappointing players of the opening round.
Jokic’s Struggles vs. Rudy Gobert
Nikola Jokić entered the playoffs once again as an MVP-caliber force, having produced yet another elite regular season. Yet the Timberwolves, led by Rudy Gobert’s elite rim protection and defensive versatility, found ways to neutralize the Serbian superstar like few teams have before.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale ranked Jokić as the second-most disappointing player across the early playoff slate, writing: “Rudy Gobert had Nikola Jokić in a coffin for much of the first round.” Favale noted that the absences of Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson hurt Denver’s supporting cast, but the three-time MVP “looking human for such a large portion of this six-game set” proved to be a decisive factor in the Nuggets’ downfall.
Jokić posted strong counting stats—averaging 25.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game—but his efficiency cratered to concerning levels. He shot a playoff career-low 44.6% from the field and an abysmal 19.4% from three-point range. For a player renowned for his basketball genius and near-unstoppable feel for the game, the series represented a rare and jarring step backward against Gobert’s physicality and Minnesota’s team defensive concepts.
Jamal Murray Hits a Low Point
While Jokić was second on the list of early disappointments, teammate Jamal Murray took the top spot. The guard, who earned his first All-Star selection during a strong regular season, endured his least efficient playoff run since bursting onto the scene in 2018.
Murray attempted a career-high 21.5 shots per game but converted just 35.7% of them. From beyond the arc, he struggled even more, shooting 26.2% on 7.0 attempts per contest. The numbers paint a picture of a player who was not only harassed by Minnesota’s perimeter defenders—particularly Jaden McDaniels—but who also failed to capitalize on cleaner opportunities.
Favale highlighted this dual issue: “Like Rudy Gobert with Jokić, Jaden McDaniels deserves credit for flustering Murray all series. But he wasn’t just missing ultra-contested looks. He bonked wide-open jumpers, too. He didn’t make up for it elsewhere, either. The Nuggets got slaughtered in his minutes without Jokić, as the defense was bad.”
What Comes Next for Denver?
Jokić and Murray have proven themselves as winners together in the past, most notably during the 2023 championship run. That pedigree buys them significant goodwill, but playoff failures this stark cannot be ignored indefinitely. Jokić is expected to command a massive long-term extension, reflecting his continued status as one of the league’s premier players. His value remains sky-high despite the first-round exit.
Murray’s situation appears more uncertain. With widespread rumors suggesting that nearly anyone outside of Jokić could be available in trades this summer, the guard’s inefficient postseason may accelerate discussions about roster retooling. Denver’s offense looked stagnant at times without Murray’s usual scoring punch and playmaking spark alongside Jokić, exposing vulnerabilities that opponents can exploit.
The Nuggets entered the 2026 playoffs with legitimate title aspirations and the benefit of better health compared to their opponent. Their inability to advance, compounded by career-worst playoff showings from their stars, makes this early exit particularly painful and, in the eyes of many analysts, unforgivable.
As the front office begins its offseason evaluations, the central question will be whether this core still has enough firepower and supporting pieces to contend at the highest level—or whether significant changes are needed to prevent another disappointing first-round departure.