The Denver Nuggets entered the Wolves’ den in Minneapolis on Thursday night and failed to make it out alive.
The undermanned and illness-stricken Minnesota Timberwolves weathered Denver’s comeback attempts and eliminated the Nuggets from the first round of the NBA Playoffs in Game 6. Minnesota played with transparent desperation, and in the end, they rose to the occasion.
The Target Center Advantage
Throughout the Wolves’ recent history, Target Center has earned a reputation as being a difficult place to play. From the starting introductions, the venue was rocking, prompting many fans and pundits in attendance to take note.
“It is deafening in here,” Krawczynski posted around the time of tipoff. Andrew Dukowitz of ZoneCoverage also avowed, “Not sure how well it’s coming through the TV, but I literally can’t communicate with the people next to me.”
The atmosphere made for a very intense, chippy episode in this rivalry. The noise was an issue for the players on the floor when, at one point in the fourth quarter, a Mike Conley foul did not immediately stop play due to the inability to hear the whistles.
The “Next Man Up” Mentality
After Kyle Anderson was ruled out due to illness and Ayo Dosunmu was ruled out nearly 90 minutes before game time, the Timberwolves embraced the “next man up” mentality. Minnesota showed a gutsy, gritty performance that renewed faith in their bench. The Wolves were flying around, tailing the Nuggets all night, and making Denver uncomfortable in transition. The effort felt desperate, and the team wasn’t.
Jaylen Clark played a huge role defensively for the Timberwolves, filling Ayo’s role on that side seamlessly.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/2050056328530272670
The Finch Factor
Head Coach Chris Finch put on a masterful coaching performance, often resorting to a three-big-men lineup of Naz Reid, Rudy Gobert, and Julius Randle that had the Nuggets grasping at straws. He went with Terrence Shannon Jr in the starting lineup, and the results were pristine. Shannon got downhill, putting Denver defenders in a predicament all night long. Finch also made some timely timeout calls, great substitutions, and utilized his challenges brilliantly.
Yahoo Sports‘ Kevin O’Connor also took note of Finch’s masterclass, bringing up a point that Wolves beat writer Dane Moore had been calling for for years. “Shoutout to Dane Moore. He’s been saying for YEARS that Chris Finch needs to play a three-big lineup with Naz, Rudy, and Julius. Then, in a must-win Game 6, it’s that lineup that helped win it.”
His understanding of his personnel really shone through in Game 6, and he inserted Mike Conley at the perfect times to keep the Wolves levelheaded. He started Conley, and Conley rose to the challenge. The 38-year-old journeyman has been used sparingly by Finch this season, with some even questioning his presence at times. Conley proved Thursday night that he has enough gas left in the tank, and Minnesota needed all of it.
Tyler Metcalf of No Ceilings also noted the importance of Conley in Game 6, saying, “This is a turn back the clock game for Mike Conley. He’s been fantastic picking his spots on offense and playing really competitive defense.”
Finch also had some thoughts regarding the Nuggets’ postgame, which The Athletic‘s Jon Krawczynski captured. Finch told reporters, “They took it personal. Denver had that choice of who they wanted to play (in the first round), and they chose us. They chose us.”
The Individual Performances
With all eyes on him, Jaden McDaniels turned in a career-high 32 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. He ended the game a +16 and amassed a dazzling 52% FG percentage. He also contributed two steals in just shy of 45 minutes played. Krawczynski noted his performance, expressing that it was “just an incredible, ferocious, connected performance from the Timberwolves, up and down the lineup. Jaden McDaniels has the last word in a series that he owned from start to finish.”
Terrence Shannon Jr was also a star of the night. He and McDaniels combined for 56 of Minnesota’s 110 total points. Shannon’s speed was on full display, as he finished with 24 points, six rebounds, and two steals. He also had a rim-rocking slam right before halftime that sent the internet into a frenzy.
https://twitter.com/espn/status/2050045350128296223
Julius Randle, who played just shy of 38 minutes in Game 6, ended the game a +15. He provided a needed scoring punch for the Wolves, dropping 18 points and adding four rebounds, five assists, and a steal. He bullied around the Nuggets from the jump and brought physicality that proved hard for Denver to handle.
https://twitter.com/Timberwolves/status/2050064589782389024
Not to be forgotten was the performance of ages from one Rudy Gobert. Rudy turned in just shy of 42 minutes, added 10 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. His performance drew proclamation from many, with Kevin O’Connor declaring, “Rudy Gobert is one of the greatest defenders in sports history. I hope that is more than apparent now after taking down Jokic. What a player.”
Rudy again wore Nikola Jokic down, as evidenced in the later stages. He provided a couple of very timely blocks, with this one coming right before halftime:
The Nuggets’ Performance
Denver clearly struggled with the atmosphere of Target Center on Thursday. They were out of sorts all night and never able to find a real rhythm. Leading the way for the Nuggets was Jokic, who turned in 28 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. Right behind him was Cam Johnson, who tallied 27 points and eight rebounds.
Jamal Murray was a shell of himself in Game 6, playing 40 minutes and only amassing 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists. He ended the game -18. All of Denver’s starters finished the game at -3 or worse.
The Records and Numbers
Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network astutely pointed out postgame that “in the 100th playoff game in franchise history, the Wolves win their first ever series in six games. They upset the higher-seeded Nuggets for the second time in three years. And (the Wolves) advance to the second round for a franchise record third straight season.”
Additionally, ESPN Insights on X.com dropped a stat that boggles minds. “The Timberwolves won the clincher against Denver without Ayo Dosunmu (21.8 PPG this series), Anthony Edwards (18.5), and Donte DiVincenzo (10.8). They are the first team in NBA history to win a playoff game while missing three or more players who averaged 10+ PPG in that series.”
Next Stop: San Antonio
The Minnesota Timberwolves will now move on to the Western Conference Semifinals, where they will face the San Antonio Spurs. Game 1 is set for Monday, May 4, in San Antonio. More info and the full series schedule can be found here.
Leave a comment