Timberwolves storm back in Game 7 to end Nuggets’ reign

The Denver Nuggets were unable to stifle a monumental second-half resurgence by the Minnesota Timberwolves, nor could they quell the exuberant celebrations emanating from their rival’s locker room.

This thunderous and painful revelation underscored an inescapable truth—their reign as NBA champions had come to an untimely end.

The youthful and assertive Timberwolves invaded Denver’s stronghold, dismantling the Nuggets with a 98-90 triumph in Game 7 of their second-round clash. Minnesota overturned a daunting 20-point deficit to secure their first berth in the Western Conference finals since 2004.

“No one ever said repeating would be easy,” lamented Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

In a disheartening trend, the Nuggets joined the ranks of the fifth consecutive reigning champion unable to reach the conference finals in their repeat quest. As Malone fielded post-game inquiries, the reverberations of the Timberwolves’ jubilant locker room echoed down the corridor.

Initially terse, Malone reflected on the emotions following a game where they had once led by 20 points. According to NBA records, this marked the largest comeback in Game 7 history within the play-by-play era (1997-98).

“The season’s over. That’s what’s hard,” Malone stated.

Up until then, everything had adhered to plan, with Jamal Murray sinking a three-pointer to extend the lead to 58-38 early in the third quarter. The fans erupted, the arena roared, and the celebration seemed imminent.

However, the Timberwolves remained unshaken, methodically clawing back into the contest. Their swarming defense, coupled with Anthony Edwards’ pivotal contributions—despite a modest 16 points on 6-for-24 shooting—helped shift the momentum. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels each tallied 23 points, with Naz Reid delivering crucial plays in the fourth quarter.

The Timberwolves orchestrated the largest comeback in Game 7 history through a disciplined, collective effort.

Ultimately, the Timberwolves refrained from overanalyzing. Despite a shooting percentage of just 39.2%, their relentless defense, a hallmark all season, compensated for their offensive struggles.

“We were over-orchestrating match-ups and mismatches, playing right into their hands,” explained Timberwolves coach Chris Finch. “We had to return to ball movement. Even when trailing, I noted our field-goal percentage in the 40s and 30s, but our defense remained steadfast. It elevated to a special level in that third quarter.”

A 37-14 run in the fourth quarter sealed their lead. During this surge, the Nuggets struggled to score, their once-celebrated offense stymied.

It was a night of bitter endings. Murray, three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, and Michael Porter Jr. collectively managed a dismal 7-of-28 from three-point range.

Porter, particularly ineffective throughout the series, concluded with a mere 26-of-70 from the floor across seven games, a stark contrast to his stellar performance against the Lakers in the first round. He tallied seven points on Sunday.

“We simply didn’t make enough shots in this series, Michael included, but he wasn’t the only one,” Malone noted.

Jokic offered a succinct explanation: “They played good defense.”

Malone echoed this sentiment, adding, “This feeling sucks. I told our players—going from training camp all the way through, only for it to end abruptly—that’s what hurts.”

Perhaps the cumulative toll of a grueling season finally caught up with the Nuggets. After winning their first NBA title last June, they contended with Murray’s injuries and the relentless challenge of every opponent’s best efforts. Unable to rest players late in the season, unlike the previous year, they aimed to secure the top seed in the West. Despite tying a franchise record with 57 wins, they lost the tiebreaker to Oklahoma City, settling for the No. 2 seed as Minnesota claimed No. 3.

This scenario ensured Game 7 took place in Denver, where Malone had anticipated a home crowd advantage.

The Timberwolves, however, silenced both the Nuggets and their supporters with their third victory in Denver.

“It’s tough because the teams are hungrier, probably more talented than last year,” said Jokic, who amassed 34 points and 19 rebounds. “Everybody wants to beat us.”

Jokic adopted a pragmatic view regarding the Nuggets’ future title prospects.

“Some teams never win a championship again,” Jokic remarked. “I’m just glad we had an opportunity this year. We will see.”