photo by nba.com
Karl-Anthony Towns escapes foul trouble, Minnesota plays quickly, and now a win-or-go-home Game 7 is on the horizon.
In Game 6, Minnesota defeats Denver 115-70 to avoid elimination behind 27 points from Anthony Edwards.
MINNEAPOLIS — How about that, eh?
The Timberwolves refused to give up, consider this playoff series a lesson learned, and submit to the reigning champions. Not yet, anyhow. if at all.
Another game, similar to Game 7's winner-take-all format, will determine whether or not the Nuggets repeat, and it could go either way in one night.
Nothing about this Western Conference semifinal has made sense, especially after Minnesota's swift and definitive KO on Thursday night to win Game 6 in a smashing and relatively simple fashion. The No. 1 defence and Anthony Edwards worked together to drive this series closer.
Coach Chris Finch stated, "We talked a lot about getting our edge back, our swagger."
Up until this series, the Wolves had not dropped three straight games in the entire season. Theoretically, it might have been too much to ask the Nuggets to win four consecutive, including three at the Target Centre.
Nikola Jokic and the other four Nuggets starters were done by the fourth quarter, and they were forced to watch the reserves clean up while getting a head start on their preparations for Game 7.
Of the 48 minutes, the Nuggets were outplayed for around 40 of them. Jamal Murray had a 1-for-10 first-half performance. The Wolves were not harmed by Aaron Gordon's backdoor dunks. For the fifth time in six games, Michael Porter Jr. scored in single digits, continuing his series-long slump.
That's where we are, then.
Here are five things to remember from the Wolves' thumping victory in Game 6, which was all Wolves, 115-70:
1. The Wolves responded quickly
Before this game, the Wolves had lost three games in a row. In Game 6, they had given Denver a 9-2 lead, but the Wolves responded with a 20-0 thumping of a first-quarter run and never looked back.
Target Centre erupted with excitement on each basket and defensive stop, as the Wolves demonstrated a level of dominance not seen since their unexpected 26-point victory in Game 2. Better late than never, that was the response.
Edwards provided the fire, scoring 19 of his 27 points in the first half, including four 3-pointers overall and a few vicious dunks.
However, at 9-2 in Denver and during a brief stoppage within the Wolves' huddle, the crucial moment arrived.
Karl-Anthony Towns, a centre for the Wolves, remarked, "There was a sense of deja vu, here we go again." However, we learned from it that there was no time for mistakes.
Therefore, the reaction was required, if only to gather oneself, reestablish self-assurance, energise the home audience, and keep the Nuggets from taking over completely.
2. Towns defeats Jokic... somewhat
The Wolves needed to come up with a new strategy to stop Jokic, especially after his 40-point thrashing the previous two nights. They thus reverted to their original strategy, with Towns serving as the first line of defence and Rudy Gobert free to roam around and provide cover as needed.
As a scorer and a team builder, Jokic has never been detrimental to the Wolves. While Minnesota's fast rotations closed down the passing lanes and prevented his teammates from getting many clean shots, he finished with a meagre 22 points.
It's not a typo: Jokic only contributed two assists.
The last three games, all Denver victories, saw the Nuggets shoot more above 50%. They were limited to a playoff-low 30.s% overall and 19.4% (7-for-36) from 3-point range on Thursday. The Wolves were able to revert to their amazing defensive performance from Game 2, which was among the greatest of any team in the most recent postseason history.
Edwards was fantastic against Murray, who oddly—and possibly obnoxiously—replied "who" when asked about Edwards' actions following the game.
Towns stated of Jokic, "He's MVP for a reason." You simply strive to make things as difficult for him as you can, not easier. Go out there and work hard and determinedly.
More than that, according to Edwards: "His ass stayed out of foul trouble." I said to Towns, "We lose if you foul."
3. Edwards recoils in relief
He finished most of his job, setting the Wolves up for victory, getting the crowd excited, and putting on the kind of two-way performance that we have seen from him this playoffs.
Then, whoosh. In the third quarter, Edwards took a fall that didn't look too alarming at first until he ended up face-down on the ground for what looked like an eternity.
The audience fell silent, but there are two things to keep in mind in these circumstances. First off, he's fine if his teammates don't frantically wave over the paramedics. This is Anthony Edwards, who is renowned for both his durability and his dunks.
Both when he was checked back into the game and when he gently walked to the bench with a painful tailbone, he was met with a standing ovation.
After giving up football for hoops in middle school, Edwards noted, "I'm used to falling like that in football when I have pads." "I felt that because I don't have pads."
4. Conley's vital return
Mike Conley was able to move differently when he woke up on Thursday morning than he had been able to the day before.
"Two days ago, I couldn't walk," Conley stated. "Not able to move at all."
Conley felt pain during warm-ups and had to skip Game 5 due to a strained calf. It appeared that he might not be able to play in Game 6 until Conley stated, "I had to find a way."
When he eventually got back on the court, his coaches and teammates informed him that the Wolves' return to success was no accident.
Edwards: "Conley, Mike. We prevailed because of this.
"He's essential to everything we do," said Finch.
Conley chuckled and said, "It was a team effort." We had a 45-point victory. I don't really have a big impact.
When he eventually got back on the court, his coaches and teammates informed him that the Wolves' return to success was no accident.
Edwards: "Conley, Mike. We prevailed because of this.
"He's essential to everything we do," said Finch.
Conley chuckled and said, "It was a team effort." We had a 45-point victory. I don't really have a big impact.
Conley calmed this team down with his experience, leadership, and stability—all qualities that were crucial in an elimination game. In addition, he moved and played well, relieving Edwards of the playmaking duties in 31 minutes, 13 points, and five assists.
Conley was initially dubious, though. Too many players had suffered long-term injuries of the same kind, in his opinion.
"Handling an injury to the calf and Achilles is difficult," he remarked.
5. McDaniels does a fantastic two-way performance.
Jaden McDaniels has shown the Wolves that he can play outstanding defence, and he did just that on Thursday, checking a number of players and occasionally helping to shut down Murray (10 points) and Porter (eight points).
The added benefit is when McDaniels generates almost as much on the other end. The Wolves are very dangerous at that point.
"He is the X-factor," Edwards declared. "It seems like nobody can beat us when Jaden plays well."
McDaniels scored 21 points on 8 of 10 overall shots and 3 of 5 3-pointers, forcing the Nuggets to take him seriously.
Finch stated, "We need to see that go down." "If Jaden experiences that, we know we're playing the right way."
The Wolves are at their best as a unit when they have a third player who can score 20 points. It makes it more likely that Minnesota will score 100 points, and its defence will make it harder for any other team to match or surpass that total.
After all of that on Thursday, the outcome was... Game 7.
Shaun Powell has nearly 25 years of NBA coverage experience. You may follow him on X, send him an email at this link, and view his archive here.
The opinions expressed on this page may not be those of Warner Bros. Discovery, the NBA, or its clubs.
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