Despite missing both Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu, the Minnesota Timberwolves took down the Denver Nuggets 110-98 on Thursday to advance to the second round.
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The disdain between these teams was evident all night as both squads came out going 110% on both ends. After 12 minutes, the Nuggets had shot the ball more efficiently, but struggled more with turnovers as well.
Denver had a one-point lead going into the second as Minnesota made sure that lead didn’t last long. Rudy Gobert did an exceptional job on defense, limiting Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets offense in general.
Denver shot just 8-of-23 in the second quarter as Minnesota led by seven at halftime.
The second half remained chaotic as foul trouble began to play more of a factor. Short scoring bursts came for both teams in the third as Minnesota fought to remain ahead.
The Timberwolves continued to struggle from three-point range, but remained in control thanks to a huge advantage in total shot attempts. Their rowdy defense allowed the offense to get out in transition.
As we’ve seen in numerous games this postseason, hustle plays and foul calls were a major factor in the final quarter. The game was slower down the stretch, which the Nuggets prefer.
Denver was able to slowly trim the lead to three with less than four minutes to play. Terrence Shannon Jr. had a breakout night for the Timberwolves and came up big when it mattered most.
He came through with a clutch and-one layup to pull ahead by five with 90 seconds to play.
That’s when Jaden McDaniels went to work with a pull-up jumper over Jamal Murray to go up by seven. He then stole the ball on the other end before multiple Timberwolves sealed the game at the free throw line.
McDaniels finished with a career-high 32 points and 10 rebounds while Shannon put up 24 points and six rebounds.
For Denver, Jokic had 28 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists as Cameron Johnson finished with 27 points and eight rebounds.
The Timberwolves will now face the San Antonio Spurs in the second round.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
