Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets appeared ready to close out their series comfortably on Sunday night. With a 20-point lead in the second half and having effectively contained Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, victory seemed imminent.
However, despite a dismal offensive performance in the first half, the Timberwolves executed the largest halftime comeback in a Game 7 in NBA history. They outscored the Nuggets 60-37 in the second half, securing a 98-90 win at Ball Arena.
This triumph marks the Timberwolves’ first Western Conference finals appearance in two decades, maintaining their perfect record in Game 7s.
Early Dominance by Nuggets
The game started with a defensive struggle, both teams combining for a mere 6-of-24 shooting to open the night. The Nuggets eventually found their rhythm, launching an 18-3 run that spanned the end of the first period and the beginning of the second.
This surge allowed them to take a commanding lead, holding the Timberwolves scoreless for more than five minutes and without a field goal for the last two minutes of the half. Jokić, with a 15-rebound double-double by halftime, led the charge, while Edwards struggled, shooting just 1-of-7 from the field.
Timberwolves’ Remarkable Turnaround
In an unexpected twist, the Timberwolves came alive in the third quarter. After trailing by 20 points, they launched a 19-3 run, holding the Nuggets without a field goal for over six minutes.
Edwards, despite his early struggles, nailed a critical step-back three-pointer over Aaron Gordon, reducing the deficit to a single point by the end of the third quarter, capping a 28-9 run. This resurgence set the stage for a thrilling final quarter.
NEEDED TREY 🐜 pic.twitter.com/3qlsNCbVq2
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Sealing the Victory
The Timberwolves maintained their momentum in the fourth quarter, staying ahead of the Nuggets. Rudy Gobert contributed with a fadeaway jumper early in the period, while Naz Reid’s crucial plays in the final minutes, including a spectacular put-back dunk over Jokić and an assist to Edwards for a fast-break three-pointer, sealed the 30-point turnaround.
Despite the Nuggets’ attempts to close the gap, the Timberwolves held on to their lead, securing an eight-point victory.
Reflecting on the Outcome
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch expressed his pride in the team’s performance, saying, “That’s a hell of a team with the best player on the planet, and this series was wild.
This game was a microcosm of the series.” On the other hand, Nuggets coach Michael Malone was visibly frustrated, stating, “The season’s over, that’s what’s hard. F*** being up 20. The season’s over, you don’t understand that. The season’s over, it’s hard.”
Looking Forward
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Edwards added 16 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists despite his shooting woes.
Jaden McDaniels contributed 21 points. For the Nuggets, Jokić scored 34 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, and Jamal Murray added 35 points. However, the rest of the team struggled, with minimal bench contributions.
With this victory, the Timberwolves advance to face the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals. The Mavericks, led by Luka Dončić, eliminated the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in their semifinal series.
Game 1 of the Western Conference finals is set for Wednesday night in Minneapolis, marking the Timberwolves’ second-ever appearance in the conference finals.
