Perhaps too injured, too undisciplined, too overmatched.

Denver raced out to a 19-point lead in the first half of Monday’s Game 2 in Colorado and had everything rolling. The Nuggets were good looks from deep and knocking them down left and right while Minnesota couldn’t crack the paint. Anthony Edwards was grabbing at his knee.

But just when you think you have these Wolves figured out, think again. As they’re wont to do, the Timberwolves flipped the script. They went on an offensive surge in the second quarter with a small-ball matchup to get back into the game.

And then they flashed that vintage defense down the stretch. The Wolves held Denver to 3 for 15 shooting over the final eight minutes of regulation, with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray going a combined 2 for 12 in a final frame that was eerily reminescent of Minnesota’s Game 7 win over the Nuggets in the 2024 Western Conference semifinals.

On the other end, in a reversal from Saturday’s finish, Minnesota executed. The Wolves, who struggled from the line for much of the night, made their final six free throws. But the biggest shot of the night belonged to Donte DiVincenzo, who buried a triple to extend Minnesota’s advantage to four with a minute to play.

Edwards battled through the knee pain to tally 30 points and 10 rebounds. Julius Randle had 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

And the series is now even going back to Minnesota.