Game 6 between the Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets is on at Target Center, with Dave Pasch, Doris Burke and Jorge Sedano on the call. Minnesota entered the night leading the best-of-seven NBA first-round playoff series 3-2, one win from moving on.
The Wolves were already without Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards, and they lost two more names before tipoff. Ayo Dosunmu was ruled out with calf soreness, and Kyle Anderson was ruled out with illness.
That leaves Minnesota trying to finish the job with a thinner bench and the pressure that comes with a closeout game at home. If the Wolves lose, Game 7 will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Denver. If they win, Game 1 against the San Antonio Spurs will be Monday.
That is the whole shape of the night: a home game on, a 3-2 lead, and the kind of injury list that can turn a closeout into a grind. The Nuggets have one path to extend the series, and Minnesota has one chance to end it before the calendar turns again.