MINNEAPOLIS — When exactly the Nuggets’ fight showed up is a point of contention.

“The competitive spirit question bothers me, because I thought we were extremely competitive at the start of the game,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said after his team fell into a 3-1 hole to the Timberwolves at the Target Center on Saturday night. “I thought we got into them.”

The most obvious display of fight came when the game was already decided. Nuggets star Nikola Jokic took offense after Jaden McDaniels scored an unnecessary basket with 1.3 seconds left to cap the scoring at 112-96. The expectation was McDaniels would let the clock run out.

“I didn’t like what McDaniels did. The game was over. The game was conceded both ways,” Adelman said.

“In 2026, that stuff just doesn’t happen anymore. That’s something that happens in the ’80s where teams continue to score, but that’s who he is. If that’s what they want to do, that’s what they want to do.”

Jokic ran from the other side of the court to confront McDaniels, who responded by grabbing two hands full of Jokic’s jersey. Players from both teams joined the fracas before team security got the sides separated. Jokic and Timberwolves forward Julius Randle were ejected for their involvement.

“He scored when everybody stopped playing,” Jokic explained his frustration.

“We saw what happened.”

Jokic went on to say he had no regrets over his reaction. Adelman didn’t anticipate any suspensions even though it appeared Aaron Gordon and Jonas Valanciunas left Denver’s bench. A few members of the Timberwolves also left the sideline to join the scrum right in front of the Minnesota bench.

Adelman liked his team’s fight in the first half when Denver led by as many as seven. In the second half, Denver shot 24.3% from the field and 15.4% from 3-point range. Jokic went 1 of 10 from the field after halftime.

“I thought we were very competitive tonight. I think it’s hilarious that the narrative is offense doesn’t matter,” Adelman said.

“I thought our guys played their ass off throughout that first half. I thought they maintained a physicality about them … The competitive spirit question bothers me, because I thought we were extremely competitive at the start of the game. I thought we got into them.”

After Denver scored 31 points in the second quarter, there wasn’t much offense. Denver scored 42 points after halftime.

A couple of minutes into the first quarter, Minnesota lost starting guard Donte DiVincenzo to a torn right Achilles tendon that will end his season, according to ESPN. In the second quarter, Anthony Edwards landed awkwardly on his left knee and was ruled out for the remainder of the game in the third quarter.

With the Timberwolves starting backcourt sidelined, Ayo Dosunmu picked up the scoring load. The Timberwolves’ acquisition at the trade deadline received “M-V-P” chants in the third quarter and needed just 17 shots to finish with 43 points. He made all five of his 3-point attempts.

“You give Dosunmu a ton of credit. He had the game of his life,” Adelman said.

“He had a crazy night.”

Jamal Murray had a chance to get into a rhythm when McDaniels picked up his third foul with more than nine minutes left in the second quarter. He led Denver with 30 points on 25 shots. Jokic needed 22 shots to score 24 points and added 15 rebounds and nine assists.

Aaron Gordon returned to Denver’s starting lineup but didn’t appear to be fully himself. He scored nine points on 11 shots in 23 minutes. Adelman said he didn’t feel like it was fair to play Gordon anymore when he was obviously laboring. Adelman said there will be conversations with Gordon and the medical staff before determining a course of action for Game 5.

One thing that’s not up for debate is Denver’s need for a more sustained fight Monday at Ball Arena to continue its season.

“I know what the team feels. I know what they felt before the game. The narrative doesn’t matter to me. I know the feeling of the group,” Adelman said.

“We’ve got to win Game 5.”

NUGGETS 112, TIMBERWOLVES 96

What happened: Denver led by a point after the first quarter and owned a 54-50 lead at halftime. Minnesota led by four after the third quarter and never trailed in the fourth.

What went right: The Nuggets outscored the Timberwolves 15-8 in fast-break points.

What went wrong: Minnesota finished with a 54-42 advantage in points in the paint.

Highlight of the night: Jamal Murray blocked Rudy Gobert at the rim, and Bruce Brown finished a layup on the other end in the first half.

Up next: The series returns to Denver for Game 5, an 8:30 p.m. start at Ball Arena.