Timberwolves vs Nuggets: the matchup, the stakes, the verdict

The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t need to be 100% to finish off the Denver Nuggets. Timberwolves vs Nuggets has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Hong Kong.

Key facts

• The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t need to be 100% to finish off the Denver Nuggets.
• The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets, 110-98, to win the series, 4-2, and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
• Jaden McDaniels had 32 points and 10 rebounds, and Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 24 points in a surprise start for the injury-ravaged Minnesota Timberwolves in a 110-98 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 (4-2), moving on to the Western Conference semifinals.
• Whether true or concocted, the Minnesota Timberwolves used some mental gymnastics to heighten their motivation against the Denver Nuggets, a legit championship contender the Wolves just ousted in the first round Thursday night.
• The Nuggets’ limitations were exposed in a variety of ways, up to and including their 110-98 Game 6 loss at Target Center.

What we know

Going deeper, the Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets, 110-98, to win the series, 4-2, and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.

On the substance, Jaden McDaniels had 32 points and 10 rebounds, and Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 24 points in a surprise start for the injury-ravaged Minnesota Timberwolves in a 110-98 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 (4-2), moving on to the Western Conference semifinals.

Beyond the headlines, Whether true or concocted, the Minnesota Timberwolves used some mental gymnastics to heighten their motivation against the Denver Nuggets, a legit championship contender the Wolves just ousted in the first round Thursday night.

More precisely, the Nuggets’ limitations were exposed in a variety of ways, up to and including their 110-98 Game 6 loss at Target Center.

It is worth noting that it was the third game in the series, all in Minnesota, in which the league’s most prolific offense – the Nuggets averaged 122.1 points in the regular season – couldn’t even reach 100.

By the numbers

At this stage, his bursts of speed had the Nuggets on their heels all night, and rim attacks helped the Wolves outscore the visitors in the paint, 64-40.

On a related note, there might not have been a more impactful player on the floor than McDaniels, who finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 0 turnovers while persistently bothering the Nuggets on defense.

Going deeper, 3 seed, giving them the Timberwolves in the first round.

On the substance, the loss begins an uncomfortable offseason for the Nuggets, who haven’t reached the Western Conference finals since their NBA title in 2023.

What they're saying

“Our guys took it personal,” Finch said. “Denver had the chance to pick who they wanted to play coming down the stretch and they chose us.

“I just didn’t care, I said what I said,” McDaniel said. “I’m not going to stay it again.”

“No love lost between the teams,” said Wolves coach Chris Finch. “[Jaden] takes the challenge to guard these guys.

The wider context

On a related note, Serb Superastr Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds to lead the Nuggets, but sidekick Jamal Murray was held to 12 points on 4-for-17 shooting.

Going deeper, With their top three guards out because of injuries, the Timberwolves went big with Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid fueling a 64-40 advantage in points in the paint and a 50-33 edge in rebounding.

On the substance, Jaden McDaniels cashes every check he issued, the 'others' come up clutch & more as the Wolves advance to the semifinals.

Beyond the headlines, Neither Nikola Jokić nor Jamal Murray played up to the postseason levels to which they and the Nuggets had grown accustomed.

More precisely, Just three years removed from their NBA championship, the core of this Nuggets team expected better.

The bottom line

• The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets, 110-98, to win the series, 4-2, and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
• The Nuggets’ limitations were exposed in a variety of ways, up to and including their 110-98 Game 6 loss at Target Center.
• It was the third game in the series, all in Minnesota, in which the league’s most prolific offense – the Nuggets averaged 122.1 points in the regular season – couldn’t even reach 100.
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