In a commanding 106-80 victory, the Minnesota Timberwolves showcased their prowess against the Denver Nuggets, leading to a surprising 2-0 advantage in the Western Conference semifinals. Coach Chris Finch commended his team’s defensive prowess, especially in the absence of key defender Rudy Gobert, who was absent for the birth of his child. Despite Gobert’s absence, the Wolves displayed resilience and cohesion, exemplifying their commitment to defensive excellence.
Led by Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, who each contributed 27 points, the Timberwolves maintained their unbeaten playoff streak, now standing at 6-0. Their remarkable performance left the Nuggets frustrated and flustered, with coach Michael Malone expressing his discontent during the game.
The TNT camera shows Nuggets star Jamal Murray throwing a heat pack from the bench right into game action on the floor before a T-Wolves bucket. ⁉️ pic.twitter.com/btZp6dbtZR
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 7, 2024
Amidst the Nuggets’ frustration, point guard Jamal Murray’s actions drew attention, as he tossed a heat pack onto the court in frustration. Although Murray’s behavior went unnoticed by officials initially, it is likely to incur NBA fines. Despite contributions from players like Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets struggled to contain the Timberwolves’ offensive onslaught.
Ant knows how to put on a show. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/WzBh4Ybl6Q
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 7, 2024
Looking ahead to Game 3, both teams anticipate a shift in momentum. While the Timberwolves bask in their current advantage, Edwards acknowledges the Nuggets’ resilience and anticipates a tougher challenge in the upcoming games.
“When you don’t got the Defensive Player of the Year, you gotta step your game up… We understood the challenge. We just wanted to come here and find a way to win the game.” 💯
KAT on Minnesota’s Game 2 mentality with @ALaForce pic.twitter.com/mgj3iLDvpz
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 7, 2024
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