Timberwolves Oust Nuggets Without Edwards, Set Up Spurs Showdown

Key facts

• Minnesota Timberwolves defeated Denver Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6 to win series 4-2.
• Jaden McDaniels scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the series-clinching win.
• Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu, and Kyle Anderson were all unavailable for Minnesota.
• Nikola Jokić recorded 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists in the losing effort.
• Denver Nuggets have been eliminated in the first round for the second time in eight seasons.
• Atlanta Hawks lost 140-89 to New York Knicks, with Dyson Daniels ejected early.
• Orlando Magic fired head coach Jamahl Mosley after blowing a 3-1 series lead.
• Dallas Mavericks hired Masai Ujiri as team president.

Depth Delivers as Timberwolves Grind Out Series Win

The Minnesota Timberwolves have eliminated the Denver Nuggets with a 110-98 Game 6 victory at Target Center, advancing to the Western Conference semi-finals against the San Antonio Spurs. The sixth-seeded Timberwolves took the series 4-2 despite being without star guard Anthony Edwards, who was expected to play but ultimately sat out. No team held a double-digit lead until the final minute, as Minnesota relied on its depth and home crowd to edge a tense contest. Jaden McDaniels delivered the defining performance of the night, finishing with 32 points and 10 rebounds while playing a key two-way role. Terrance Shannon Jr. made his first career playoff start, logging 34 minutes in a breakout role, and Mike Conley Jr. played his heaviest minutes since March.

Short-Handed Nuggets Push but Fall Short

Denver were also undermanned, missing Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson, yet pushed Minnesota deep into the fourth quarter before the game slipped away. Nikola Jokić ended with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists on 11-of-19 shooting in what becomes an early off-season for the three-time MVP. Tempers flared late when Jokić was involved in a fourth-quarter exchange after a screen with Jaylen Clark led to a brief scuffle, with Naz Reid also getting involved as officials separated players. For the Nuggets, this marks their second first-round exit in the past eight seasons, a sharp fall from their championship-winning 2022-23 campaign.

McDaniels Backs Up Words With Dominant Performance

Jaden McDaniels addressed his earlier comments a week after saying, 'Go after Jokić, Jamal, all the bad defenders.' His 32-point, 10-rebound outing backed up that bravado, as he stepped up in the absence of Minnesota's usual backcourt firepower. The Timberwolves were already without Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, while Ayo Dosunmu was ruled out late with injury and Kyle Anderson sat due to illness. That forced a complete reshuffle, but Minnesota's composure and depth told when it mattered most, edging out a tense series-clinching win on their home floor.

Hawks Humiliated as Daniels Ejected in Record Collapse

In the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks suffered a heavy 140–89 defeat to the New York Knicks after a record-breaking first-half collapse ended their season. Australian star Dyson Daniels was ejected early in the game, compounding a disastrous night for Atlanta. The Hawks' 51-point loss was one of the most lopsided playoff defeats in recent memory, highlighting the gap between the two sides. The Knicks now advance to face the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, setting up a series that pits Joel Embiid against New York's tenacious defense.

Coaching Shakeups: Mosley Fired, Ujiri to Dallas

The Orlando Magic fired head coach Jamahl Mosley after blowing a 3-1 series lead in the first round, a decision that underscores the franchise's impatience after a promising season. Mosley had guided the Magic to the playoffs but could not close out the series. In a bold stroke, the Dallas Mavericks hired Masai Ujiri as their new team president, a move that signals a major front-office overhaul. Ujiri, who previously built a championship team in Toronto, will now look to reshape the Mavericks' roster around Luka Dončić.

What Comes Next: Spurs Await, Embiid's Revenge Tour Continues

The Timberwolves now face the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semi-finals, a matchup that pits Minnesota's gritty depth against Gregg Popovich's disciplined system. The Spurs, who swept their first-round series, will be well-rested and pose a significant challenge. In the East, Joel Embiid's revenge tour continues as the 76ers take on the Knicks. Embiid has been vocal about past playoff disappointments, and his matchup against New York's rugged frontcourt will be a key storyline. The Celtics' Jaylen Brown has also accused referees of having an 'agenda' after a playoff loss, adding further intrigue to the postseason narrative.

A Postseason Defined by Depth and Surprises

This year's playoffs have been marked by historic comebacks and unexpected outcomes. The Timberwolves' victory without their leading scorer exemplifies the importance of depth, while the Nuggets' early exit raises questions about their ability to sustain success after their 2023 title. As the second round begins, the league's balance of power appears more fluid than ever. The Mavericks' front-office change, the Magic's coaching decision, and the Hawks' collapse all point to a summer of significant roster and strategic adjustments across the NBA.

The bottom line

• Minnesota's depth overcame the absence of Anthony Edwards to eliminate Denver in six games.
• Jaden McDaniels' 32-point, 10-rebound performance backed up his pre-series comments and proved decisive.
• Nikola Jokić's 28-point triple-double was not enough to prevent the Nuggets' first-round exit.
• The Atlanta Hawks suffered a historic 51-point loss, with Dyson Daniels ejected early.
• Orlando fired Jamahl Mosley after blowing a 3-1 lead, and Dallas hired Masai Ujiri as president.
• The Timberwolves will face the Spurs in the Western Conference semi-finals, while the 76ers meet the Knicks in the East.