NBA Playoffs: Timberwolves Rally To Beat Nuggets And Tie Series In Game 2

The NBA playoffs delivered three tense finishes on Monday night, with two series levelled and one swinging firmly towards Cleveland. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Atlanta Hawks both fought back for narrow wins, while the Cleveland Cavaliers controlled their matchup throughout to move two games clear of the Toronto Raptors.

Minnesota overturned a huge first-half hole to edge the Denver Nuggets 119-114 and tie their first-round playoff series 1-1. Atlanta also pulled even at 1-1, erasing a late deficit to beat the New York Knicks 107-106. Cleveland, meanwhile, protected home court again and now led Toronto 2-0 after a steady 115-105 victory.

The Timberwolves’ win in Denver featured the night’s biggest swing. The Nuggets burst ahead with a 17-0 run in the first quarter and held a 44-25 advantage less than a minute into the second. Minnesota answered immediately, dominating the next six minutes 24-4 and suddenly surging in front before halftime in a game that stayed tight afterwards.

The second half unfolded as a near constant trade of slim leads, with neither side pulling clear until the final minute. Anthony Edwards produced 30 points and 10 rebounds, and found Donte DiVincenzo out of a double team for a vital 3-pointer that pushed Minnesota ahead 115-111 with 1:05 left. Julius Randle then steadied matters at the foul line.

DiVincenzo finished with 16 points, highlighted by that go-ahead triple, while Randle added 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Randle’s last two free throws stretched the lead to 117-114 and effectively settled Game 2. Minnesota now headed home for a crucial Game 3 on Thursday, having taken back momentum after dropping the series opener.

Denver still received strong numbers from Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, yet their closing choices drew scrutiny. Murray posted 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Jokic ended with 24 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists after scoring only six before halftime. However, the pair combined to shoot 1-for-7 over the final four minutes.

Atlanta Hawks NBA playoff series surge past Knicks late

Earlier in the night, the Hawks staged a fourth-quarter recovery to claim a 107-106 home-court-stealing win at Madison Square Garden. Atlanta trailed by 12 in the final period before CJ McCollum took control. McCollum scored 32 points and hit three vital baskets across the last 2:10, including the tie-breaking jumper with 35 seconds remaining.

That shot gave Atlanta a 105-103 edge, which extended to 107-103 after a Jalen Johnson dunk with 10 seconds left. Jalen Brunson quickly responded with a 3-pointer to cut the margin to one, and McCollum then missed two free throws, leaving New York a final chance without timeouts. Mikal Bridges’ midrange attempt at the buzzer bounced out.

Cleveland Cavaliers NBA playoff series control over Raptors

The Cavaliers enjoyed a more straightforward night, leading Toronto wire to wire. Cleveland opened the game with an early double-digit cushion and never surrendered it, eventually winning 115-105 for a 2-0 series advantage. Donovan Mitchell drove the hosts with 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and committed just one turnover in a composed performance.

James Harden supported with 28 points, while Evan Mobley supplied 25 points and eight rebounds, hitting 11 of 13 field-goal attempts. Toronto shot 51% but damaged its chances with 22 turnovers and only seven made 3-pointers. Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 26 points, RJ Barrett contributed 22 points and nine rebounds, but Brandon Ingram was held to seven points on 3-of-15 shooting.

Across the three contests, home-court dynamics shifted sharply. Minnesota and Atlanta both stole wins away from home to level their first-round series, setting up tense Game 3 matchups. Cleveland, in contrast, tightened its grip by holding serve twice, leaving Toronto needing a response when the NBA playoff series moves north.