In a stunning Game 7 victory, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets with a comeback for the ages, overcoming a 20-point second-half deficit to win 98-90. Despite a slow start, Anthony Edwards played a key role in the Timberwolves’ victory, finishing the game with 16 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, despite shooting just 6-of-24 from the field. Edwards credited his teammates for stepping up and making crucial plays throughout the game, helping Minnesota secure the win and advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time in 20 years.
Throughout the game, Anthony Edwards showcased his versatility and impact on both ends of the court, particularly in the fourth quarter when he shut down Jamal Murray, who had a 24-point first half. Edwards’ defensive efforts were instrumental in turning the game around in Minnesota’s favor, allowing the Wolves to secure the victory on the road at Ball Arena, where the Nuggets had a strong home record. Despite Murray’s 35-point performance and Nikola Jokic’s 34 points and 19 rebounds, the Nuggets struggled to get scoring contributions from other players, ultimately falling short in their quest for a conference finals appearance.
The Wolves leaned on their defensive prowess, the NBA’s best throughout the season, to mount a historic comeback in the decisive Game 7. Trailing by 15 points at halftime, Minnesota rallied behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels, each scoring 23 points to complement Edwards’ efforts. Naz Reid, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, made key plays on both ends of the floor to keep the Wolves ahead when Towns encountered foul trouble. Ultimately, it was a team effort that propelled Minnesota to victory and a date with the Dallas Mavericks in the upcoming Western Conference finals.
This game marked a milestone for the Timberwolves, who had not reached a Game 7 since their last conference finals appearance 20 years ago. The Nuggets, on the other hand, were playing in their fifth Game 7 in the last six seasons and were looking to make their third conference finals appearance in that span. Despite the disappointment of losing on their home court, Nuggets coach Michael Malone commended the Timberwolves for their resilience and competitiveness throughout the series, acknowledging the challenge his team faced against a determined Minnesota squad.
The loss for the Nuggets continued a trend of defending champions failing to reach the conference finals, with the last team to do so being the Golden State Warriors in 2019. Malone drew inspiration from past champions like the San Antonio Spurs, who used their playoff disappointments as fuel to eventually win a championship. Jamal Murray echoed Malone’s sentiments, believing that the Nuggets can learn from this experience and come back stronger next season, embracing the role of underdogs once again. The defeat, while painful, serves as motivation for the Nuggets to regroup and prepare for future championship aspirations, with a renewed focus on reclaiming their position as contenders in the league.
