David Adelman, head coach of the Denver Nuggets, faced tough questions about his future after a 112-96 playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 25, 2026.
The Nuggets now trail the series 3-1. They struggled significantly in Game 4, shooting just 18.8% from the field in the fourth quarter. Ayo Dosunmu led the Timberwolves with an impressive 43 points off the bench.
This defeat marks a disappointing exit for the Nuggets, who entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed. The team was eliminated from the playoffs in six games by the Timberwolves, despite holding a four-point lead at halftime in Game 4.
Nikola Jokic’s ejection with just one second left added to the chaos. The Nuggets’ bench was outscored by an astonishing 60 points, as they managed only 16 points compared to the Timberwolves’ 76.
Adelman responded to media narratives about his team’s performance, stating, “You don’t think we were competitive tonight?” He emphasized that he felt his players gave their all during the game.
The absence of key players for Minnesota, like Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, added layers to this matchup. Yet, Adelman remained defiant about his team’s effort.
The Nuggets’ early exit raises questions about potential coaching changes. This is only the second time in Jokic’s career that his team has exited in the opening round of the playoffs.
The team will now reflect on their performance and consider their options moving forward.
