Timber Wolves Dominate Nuggets in 2K26 Summer League Opener

Shannon Jr.’s Scoring Prowess Fuels Timberwolves to Summer League Victory Over Nuggets

Las Vegas, NV – July 13, 2025 – The Minnesota Timberwolves showcased a dominant performance, capped by a game-high 24 points from 2024 first-round pick Terrence Shannon Jr., to secure a 94-83 win against the defending champion Denver Nuggets in a competitive NBA2K26 Summer League matchup at Cox Pavilion. The Timberwolves’ sharp shooting and efficient play from their second unit proved to be the difference-makers in what was a hard-fought contest.

While the game remained close through the first quarter, with Minnesota holding a narrow 25-20 led, the Timberwolves extended their advantage to 14 points by halftime. The Nuggets attempted a comeback in the third quarter,managing to chip away at the deficit,but a decisive 12-6 run by Minnesota in the opening minutes of the final period effectively sealed their victory.The Timberwolves’ ability to capitalize on fast breaks, outscoring the Nuggets 15-3 in that category, was a key factor, as was their bench’s superior scoring, with the Minnesota reserves outproducing Denver’s by a 36-29 margin.

Beyond his impressive scoring, Shannon Jr. contributed across the board, adding seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal to his stellar offensive output. The Timberwolves’ backcourt also received significant contributions from rob Dillingham, who poured in 15 points, dished out nine assists, grabbed four rebounds, and recorded three steals. Tristen Newton added 12 points and three assists, while 17th overall pick Joan Beringer made his presence felt with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a block.

For the Nuggets, Spencer Jones led the charge with 19 points and six rebounds, complemented by two steals. Hunter Tyson and Tamar Bates were also strong offensive contributors, each netting 13 points, with Tyson adding seven boards to his tally. Tyrell Harrison and Curtis Jones chipped in with 10 points apiece, with Harrison adding two blocks and Jones contributing three assists.

Both squads are set to return to action on Tuesday. The Timberwolves will face the Detroit pistons in the opening game of the day, while the Nuggets will look to bounce back against the Toronto Raptors later that evening.

What strategic defensive adjustment by Timberwolves coach Sarah Chen proved most effective in disrupting the Nuggets’ offense?

First Impressions: Minnesota’s Offensive Firepower

The Minnesota Timberwolves kicked off their 2K26 Summer League campaign with a resounding victory over the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, with a final score of 98-85. The game, played on July 12th, 2025, showcased a dynamic Timberwolves offense and a tenacious defensive effort that stifled the Nuggets’ typically potent attack. Key to the win was the impressive performance of rookie point guard, Kai Jones, who finished with 22 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds. This early showing has already sparked conversations about his potential as a future cornerstone for the franchise.

Kai Jones’ Impact: Jones’ ability to penetrate the defense and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates was a major factor.

fast Break Offense: The Timberwolves consistently pushed the pace, capitalizing on Nuggets turnovers with swift transition buckets.

Shooting Efficiency: Minnesota shot 48% from the field, a significant advancement over their regular season average.

Nuggets Struggle to Find Rythm

Denver, relying heavily on second-year player Zeke Williams and veteran Summer League participant, Jamal Murray (playing limited minutes for conditioning), struggled to establish any offensive consistency. Williams led the Nuggets with 18 points, but shot only 6-of-18 from the field. The Nuggets’ typically sharp three-point shooting was notably off,connecting on just 28% of their attempts.

Key Areas of Concern for Denver

turnover Issues: denver committed 17 turnovers, leading to 24 points for Minnesota.

Rebounding Disadvantage: The Timberwolves outrebounded the Nuggets 45-32, controlling the glass and limiting second-chance opportunities.

Defensive Rotations: The Nuggets’ defensive rotations appeared sluggish, allowing the Timberwolves to consistently find open looks.

Player Performances: Standouts from Both Teams

Beyond Jones’ stellar debut,several other players made significant contributions. Timberwolves forward, Leo Ramirez, added 16 points and 7 rebounds, demonstrating his versatility. For the Nuggets, rookie wing, Marcus Bell, showed flashes of potential, scoring 12 points off the bench.

Here’s a quick breakdown of notable performances:

1. Kai Jones (Timberwolves): 22 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds
2. Leo Ramirez (Timberwolves): 16 points, 7 rebounds
3. Zeke Williams (Nuggets): 18 points, 5 assists
4. Marcus Bell (Nuggets): 12 points, 3 rebounds

Strategic Adjustments & Coaching Decisions

Timberwolves head coach, Sarah Chen, emphasized the importance of ball movement and defensive communication in the post-game press conference. Her decision to utilize a switching defensive scheme effectively disrupted the Nuggets’ offensive flow. Nuggets coach, Michael Davis, acknowledged his team’s struggles with turnovers and rebounding, stating that they would focus on addressing these areas in their next practice. The game highlighted the importance of Summer League as a testing ground for different strategies and player combinations.

Looking Ahead: Summer League Implications

This opening victory provides a significant boost of confidence for the Timberwolves as they navigate the remainder of the Summer League schedule. It also serves as a valuable learning experience for the Nuggets, who will need to quickly address their early-season struggles. The 2K26 Summer League provides a crucial platform for evaluating young talent and developing team chemistry before the start of the regular season. fans and analysts alike will be closely watching the progress of both teams throughout the tournament. Key search terms related to this event include: NBA Summer League, Timberwolves Summer League, Nuggets Summer League, Kai Jones stats, Zeke Williams performance, 2K26 Summer League scores.