Timberwolves Vs. Nuggets Final: Minnesota Comeback Bid Falls Short In 113-107 Defeat

Down by 21 points after a lopsided opening half, the Minnesota Timberwolves looked like they were ready to roll over and die in their bid to stay alive in the playoff race. But with star forward Kevin Love not able to contribute, the T-Wolves still managed to show their resiliency and outscored Denver 60-45 in the second half despite falling short 113-107 in the end.

The loss ends Minnesota's futile bid to reach the postseason, but the injury to Love remains the biggest issue for this team going forward. Love saw the court for just eight minutes on Wednesday before the injury, and was 0-for-5 from the field.

The Timberwolves picked up an unexpected 28 points, six rebounds and five blocks from forward Anthony Randolph off the bench, while No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams also added 27 as Love's absence opened up obvious playing time for the pair. Williams chipped in eight rebounds and was also 3-for-9 from three-point range.

Oddly enough, both teams shot exactly 50% from the floor in the game, and also combined for 55 assists and just 27 turnovers, equating to a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. The T-Wolves, now 25-34 on the season, will continue their road trip with Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Target Center on Thursday night.

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Timberwolves Vs. Nuggets Score Update: Minnesota Loses Kevin Love, Down Big At Half

With a loss potentially signaling an end to their playoff chances, the Minnesota Timberwolves have dug themselves quite a hole on Wednesday, and trail 68-47 to the Denver Nuggets after two quarters of play.

The story of the night without question was the unfortunate injury to Minnesota All-Star Kevin Love, who left the game after being elbowed in the head by Nuggets center JaVale McGee. Love was on his back on the floor for a while after being struck, and it quickly became clear that the T-Wolves would be without his services for the remainder of the night.

Denver rookie forward Kenneth Faried has feasted on Minnesota's front line, and has game-highs in points (14), rebounds (10), steals (2) and blocks (2). Faried's teammates are already 5-for-12 from three-point range, and have recorded an insanely-high 19 assists after just 24 minutes of play. With their season hanging in the balance and their best player sitting on the bench, it will be tough sledding for the Timberwolves to make a playoff-saving run in the second half.

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Kevin Love Injury: Javale McGee Elbow Forces Timberwolves All-Star To Bench

Kevin Love caught an elbow from JaVale McGee in the first quarter of Wednesday night's game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. The All-Star power forward was helped off the court and is expected to miss the remainder of the game due to the injury.

NBA Playoff Picture: Timberwolves Could Be Eliminated With Loss To Nuggets?

The wheels started to fall off for the Minnesota Timberwolves ever since Ricky Rubio went down with an ACL tear, but six consecutive losses have all but eliminated the Timberwolves from playoff contention. Via Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune:

The Wolves officially will be eliminated from the playoff race if they lose at Denver tonight, Utah wins at Houston and Phoenix wins at Memphis.

"I just think we need to play better," Kevin Love said. "I know we have eight games left. I've mentioned the window is closing rapidly, if it's not closed already. So mathematically, we seem to be close to out of it, but I want to play like we're not."

Luke Ridnour and Darko Milicic did not make the trip for the Timberwolves, but Michael Beasley and J.J. Barea will play despite all types of nagging injuries.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. For more on the Denver Nuggets you can head over to Denver Stiffs.

Timberwolves Vs. Nuggets: Minnesota Looks To Avoid 7 Straight Losses

The Minnesota Timberwolves will look to snap a six game losing skid on Wednesday when they head to Colorado to face the Denver Nuggets.