The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a series of absences to defeat the Denver Nuggets. Minnesota won Game 6 on Thursday, 110-98, to end the first-round series. They will now face the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals.
The game remained close until the final minute. Home-court advantage at Target Center appeared to play a role.
McDaniels Steps Up for Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards’ absence loomed large, but Jaden McDaniels stepped up. McDaniels finished with 32 points and 10 rebounds. He also persistently bothered the Nuggets on defence.
Minnesota’s other key players also performed well. Rudy Gobert had 10 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists. Terrence Shannon Jr. had a breakout game with 24 points, while Julius Randle contributed 18 points and 5 assists.
Timberwolves Overcome Significant Absences
Both teams were short-handed entering the game, but the Timberwolves were more so. Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo were already out for the series. Ayo Dosunmu was then ruled out with a calf injury, and Kyle Anderson sat out with an illness.
The Nuggets were missing Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson. Minnesota’s backcourt required a full “next man up” approach.
Shannon, who had previously played 21 minutes all series, played 34 minutes in Game 6. It was also his first career playoff start. Jaylen Clark, who first appeared in the series in Game 5, got 12 minutes in Game 6. Mike Conley Jr. played 26 minutes, his most since March 25.
Jokić Involved in Fourth-Quarter Scuffle
Game 6 was tense, particularly in the fourth quarter when Nikola Jokić got into another scuffle. Jokić was previously fined for a shoving match in Game 4.
With about 10 minutes left in the game, Jokić set a screen on Clark. Clark’s arms got tangled up with Jokić, and Clark shoved him in the back after the whistle. Jokić went to shove Clark back, and Clark responded by grabbing Jokić’s jersey as he went down, then getting up to further push Jokić. Naz Reid elbowed Jokić in the back as the official tried to break it up.
Jokić, Clark and Reid were all given technical fouls after a quick deliberation. Tim Hardaway Jr. made the resulting free throw for the Nuggets.
Overcoming the Spurs will be a taller task, especially if Edwards can’t return during the series.