Chris Finch said the energy changes when Nickeil Alexander-Walker enters the game for the Timberwolves.

On Friday night, Alexander-Walker changed the energy (and the outcome of the game) as the Wolves overcame a 10-point deficit in the final three minutes and beat the Denver Nuggets 119-116 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

With 3 minutes and 13 seconds left, Alexander-Walker hit a 3-pointer that brought the Wolves within seven. He got a steal, took it to the rim at the other end and drew a foul, making both free throws to bring Minnesota within five. After Nikola Jokic made a pair of free throws, Alexander-Walker came back and hit a 3-pointer. He followed up with another steal, which turned into three more points on a jumper from deep by Anthony Edwards. Alexander-Walker had another save after that.

“Nickeil has played our best and most consistent basketball in these five games,” Finch said. “…Nickeil was the right answer tonight.”

Alexander-Walker finished her night with eight points, five assists and three steals and a team-best plus-minus of plus-27.

Edwards also had a pretty good night, and his floater with 25 seconds left was the Wolves’ go-ahead points.

Edwards finished with 29 points, four assists and a team-high four rebounds.

On the other end, Rudy Gobert held his own in the paint as Christian Braun, who dunked on Gobert earlier in the game, missed the contested layup and fouled Gobert, who made the ensuing free throws to close out the game. The Wolves finished the game on a 10-0 run, overcoming mistakes that nearly resulted in what would have been a disheartening loss.

Gobert scored 17 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocks in an all-around great performance.

The Wolves led by as many as 16 in the game and as many as 12 in the fourth quarter before nearly throwing it all away. Some of their same problems persisted: they lost the rebounding battle 46-38; his 17 turnovers turned into 19 points for the Nuggets; and the Wolves gave up 22 points in transition and only produced 10 points on the fast break.

But despite all the problems, everything came together in the final minutes. Alexander-Walker absolutely shined. Edwards made all the right decisions and hit the two biggest shots of the night. Gobert made one last defensive stance. And the Timberwolves left Target Center with the victory after erasing a 10-point deficit in the final three minutes.