After the Denver Nuggets suffered a disappointing playoff exit on April 25, 2026, head coach David Adelman found himself at the center of scrutiny. The Nuggets lost Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs 112-96 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, falling behind 3-1 in the series.
In this critical game, Ayo Dosunmu led the Timberwolves with an impressive 43 points off the bench. The Nuggets, despite holding a four-point lead at halftime, struggled immensely in the fourth quarter—shooting just 18.8% from the field. Nikola Jokic’s ejection with only a second left didn’t help matters. The bench performance was starkly contrasted as the Timberwolves outscored the Nuggets’ reserves 76 to 16.
The implications of this loss extend beyond just one game. The Nuggets entered these playoffs as the No. 3 seed but now face elimination in the first round—a rarity for a team led by a player of Jokic’s caliber. This marked only the second time in his career that Jokic’s team exited early in the playoffs.
Adelman’s postgame comments were telling. He described media narratives around his team’s performance as “hilarious,” asserting, “You don’t think we were competitive tonight?” He further emphasized, “I thought we were extremely competitive…. I thought our guys played their asses off.” Yet, such defiance may not quell growing concerns about his future.
Key statistics from Game 4:
- The Nuggets shot just 18.8% in the fourth quarter.
- Ayo Dosunmu scored 43 points for the Timberwolves.
- The Timberwolves’ bench outscored that of the Nuggets 76 to 16.
- The series deficit faced by the Nuggets is now at 3-1.
As whispers of potential coaching changes circulate, Adelman’s fate may hinge on how management interprets this playoff performance. He stated, “I don’t care what you write, I really don’t; I know what the team feels.” But will that sentiment be enough to secure his position going forward?
With their playoff journey abruptly halted, both players and fans are left to ponder what comes next for this franchise. As for Adelman, he might find himself needing to address more than just on-court strategies in upcoming discussions with management.
