There wasn’t much time for setup, but what little there was allowed the superstars from Denver and Minnesota to provide opposing viewpoints on the competition for first place.

Anthony Edwards in Minneapolis didn’t mince words. He remarked, “I think everyone understands what is at stake.” “I don’t even need to describe its size. Everyone is aware.

Nikola Jokic’s tenor in Utah, halfway across the nation, was more — well, bored. He declared, “I don’t think it’s a really big game.” Of course, we’re going to play to win the game, but I believe that people are only inventing the idea that it’s a major game. I’m hoping it will be fascinating.

The Nuggets and Timberwolves met in the middle on Wednesday after both teams played the night before in an exciting regular-season finale that culminated in a cathartic dunk competition between Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. 

With a 116-107 victory in the fourth quarter, Denver broke the tie atop the Western Conference standings in front of a boisterous Ball Arena crowd.

The Nuggets (56-24) are in a position to secure home-court advantage through the NBA Finals if they win both of their remaining games. 

Due to their superior division record, the Timberwolves (55-25) still have a chance to force a tiebreaker following a 2-2 season series split, but Denver is clearly in the lead with games left to play in San Antonio and Memphis.

After scoring 41 points, pulling down 11 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists on 16 of his 20 shots, Jokic may have sealed the deal for his third career MVP title. Twenty more was added by Jamal Murray. 

With nine assists, Aaron Gordon set a new season high. Late in the fourth, Braun used his left hand to posterize Rudy Gobert before capping an alley-oop a few seconds later.

Edwards finished with 25 points, but none in the fourth.

If Oklahoma City (55-25) upsets Denver for the top seed this weekend, it’s the only way these teams might play again before the Western Conference Finals. With the caliber and ferocity of the basketball played on Wednesday, the WCF would be more appropriate in any case. 

Both teams’ defensive playmaking was excellent throughout a nail-biting first half. One of the most concerning components of this game for the Nuggets is the second-unit minutes; yet, Braun and Watson’s defense made sure that those minutes were appropriately unpleasant for both benches, not just Denver’s. 

With six blocks, Watson surpassed a lifetime high; the final block was capped off with a slam.

However, the Timberwolves made up for it by using their length to harass the starting five of the reigning champions. Nine turnovers, including three by Murray, and another disruption by Jaden McDaniels sent Denver into halftime. 

In a fantastic sequence, McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year, worked together to halt Denver’s two-man strategy near the end of the shot clock. McDaniels’ behind-the-back assist then turned the stop into an easy transition hoop.

In the third quarter, the stars took control. Jokic began harassing Gobert in the comment. Edwards continued to outpace Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with his powerful first step, causing KCP to commit an uncommon foul. Jokic shot over thirty in the frame, while Edwards scored fifteen.

Regarding Jokic’s statement that the game wasn’t that important, the two-time MVP was exposed early in the first quarter. His expression following his 3-pointer from the top of the key was unlike any of his usual emotional moments. It was more of a growl than a bellow, as if to convey the angry mindset of a Nuggets club that was finally ready to go on to the playoffs.