In a surprising upset, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the second-round series. Anthony Edwards had a playoff career-high 43 points, with Naz Reid contributing 16 points, 14 of which came in the fourth quarter. Despite dealing with foul trouble, Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points to help secure the win. The Timberwolves dominated the game, with Game 2 scheduled for Monday night in Denver.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, who had recently undergone knee surgery, was present on the bench for the game, sitting in the second row behind assistant coach Micah Nori. Nori took on a more active role in coaching during the game, as the Timberwolves outplayed the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic, a two-time NBA MVP, led the Nuggets with 32 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, but struggled with turnovers. Jamal Murray also contributed with 17 points after a slow start in the first half.
In a crucial moment, tied at 84, the Timberwolves went on an 18-7 run to secure the victory. Reid played a significant role during this decisive stretch, scoring 10 straight points for the Timberwolves. Last year, the Timberwolves had proved to be a tough first-round opponent for Denver despite missing key players. However, this time around, the Timberwolves were at full strength, with no players listed on the injury report. This, combined with the improved performance of Anthony Edwards, made them a formidable opponent for the Nuggets.
Denver coach Michael Malone acknowledged the significant progress in Edwards’ game, noting that the young player had no weaknesses. He also recognized the challenge of trying to contain Edwards in future matchups. The Timberwolves’ victory over the Nuggets in Game 1 highlighted their strength and improved performance, posing a real threat to the defending champions. With Game 2 approaching, the Timberwolves are looking to continue their winning streak and potentially make a deep playoff run.
The disappointing loss in Game 1 served as a wake-up call for the Denver Nuggets, who will need to regroup and come back stronger in the next game. With talented players like Jokic and Murray on their side, the Nuggets have the potential to turn the series around. However, they will need to address issues such as turnovers and defensive lapses to compete effectively with the Timberwolves. As the series progresses, both teams will need to bring their best performance to advance further in the playoffs and potentially contend for the NBA championship.
