Unless his status changes from Wednesday’s injury report, Jimmy Butler is doubtful to play in the Wolves’ crucial game in Denver Thursday night.
Butler, whom was cleared for contact last weekend and said Tuesday that he is “this close” to returning, has been out since suffering a tear in his right meniscus on Feb. 23.
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Ratke/status/981661523939651584
Minnesota’s game in Denver is critical, with just one game separating the Wolves and Nuggets in standings, and just four games to go.
Related:
The Wolves and Denver play again in Minnesota next week, and all the Wolves have to do to clinch a playoff spot is beat Denver in of their two matchups and win one of their other two games.
So it could happen within 48 hours if the Wolves beat Denver and then top the Lakers in L.A. Friday night.
But a loss Thursday night would put a ton of pressure on Minnesota.
If the Denver Nuggets win tonight and beat the Timberwolves on Thursday, Minnesota is in big trouble
— Dominique Clare (@DomClare) April 3, 2018
“It’s going to be the biggest game of the season for us,” Nuggets Wilson Chandler said Wednesday, via the Denver Post.
Although the Wolves are currently in seventh place, oddsmakers say they are most likely to finish sixth in the West, according to PlayoffStatus.com.
The Wolves and Nuggets tip off just after 9:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on TNT.
