The Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 128-116, at Pepsi Center on Sunday evening.

The Nuggets (39-18) came into the contest with not only their formidable home-field edge, but a personnel advantage as well. The latter was due to the fact D'Angelo Russell was announced as out for the Timberwolves (16-39) early in the day for the purpose of resting his sore knee, but to its credit, Minnesota remained very competitive during a fast-paced first half that saw Denver take a 73-65 lead into intermission. The home squad was then able to add another two points to that margin during the third quarter, and they were never truly threatened during a final period that saw them get up by as much as 22 points.

Kelan Martin led the Timberwolves with 21 points off the bench, adding four rebounds and one block. Malik Beasley followed with 17 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Jordan McLaughlin posted a 15-point, 10-assist double-double that also included four rebounds and one steal. Jarrett Culver supplied 14 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Naz Reid and James Johnson provided matching 13-point, five-rebound tallies. Josh Okogie registered 10 points, four boards, three assists and one steal.

Paul Millsap paced the Nuggets with 25 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Nikola Jokic turned in 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks. Jamal Murray compiled 19 points, six assists, one rebound and one steal. Gary Harris and Monte Morris poured in 13 points apiece, with Morris also recording six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Jerami Grant netted 12 points.

The Timberwolves remain on the road and face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, while the Nuggets remain home and await the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.