Dosunmu lifts Timberwolves past Nuggets in Game 4

Ayo Dosunmu delivered a career-high 43 points off the bench as the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away from the Denver Nuggets, 112-96, in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series Saturday night in Minneapolis.

Dosunmu shot 13-for-17 from the field and took control after Minnesota lost two starters to injury, helping the Timberwolves seize a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Anthony Edwards, a four-time All-Star and Minnesota’s top scorer, left in the second quarter and did not return because of a left knee injury. Edwards was hurt after leaping to try to block a shot and landing awkwardly on his left leg, then quickly dropped to the floor while clutching his knee.

Team officials helped Edwards to his feet as he placed his arms around their shoulders, but he put little weight on his left leg as he hobbled toward the locker room.

Earlier in the first half, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo also headed to the locker room after suffering a right leg injury on a noncontact play. DiVincenzo planted his foot while pursuing a loose ball, fell to the hardwood and grabbed the back of his right leg in pain.

Early reports indicated that DiVincenzo might have ruptured his Achilles tendon on the play, adding to Minnesota’s concerns despite the critical playoff victory.

With Edwards and DiVincenzo unavailable, Dosunmu became Minnesota’s central offensive force and helped the Timberwolves outscore the Nuggets, 62-42, in the second half.

Naz Reid added 17 points off the bench for Minnesota, while Julius Randle finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high-tying 15 rebounds to go with four points.

Jamal Murray led Denver with 30 points on 10-for-25 shooting, while Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. Jokic struggled with his efficiency, shooting 8-for-22 from the field and missing all three of his 3-point attempts.

Denver led 76-74 late in the third quarter before Dosunmu sparked Minnesota’s decisive surge. He made a pair of free throws as the Timberwolves closed the period on an 8-2 run to take an 82-78 lead.

Dosunmu continued to dictate the pace in the fourth quarter, hitting a driving layup and a pull-up bank shot to stretch Minnesota’s lead to 95-82 with 7:53 remaining.

The Nuggets struggled to keep pace the rest of the way, and frustration spilled over in the closing seconds after Jaden McDaniels scored a layup with 2.1 seconds left.

Jokic took exception to the play, and he and Randle were ejected after players from both teams shoved one another near the sidelines.

The series shifts back to Denver for Game 5 on Monday night.