Exactly 20 years ago, on his 28th birthday, Kevin Garnett led the Minnesota Timberwolves to their first-ever Western Conference Finals appearance. Now, 20 years later, the Wolves have given the Big Ticket another nostalgic birthday present with a return trip to the conference finals after knocking off the defending Champion Denver Nuggets.
Despite a slow start in the first half, the Wolves’ league-leading defense clamped down in the second half to spark an epic Game 7 comeback win. The Wolves turned everything around in the third quarter. After Jamal Murray hit a corner three to push the Denver lead to 20, the Timberwolves put together a 19-3 run, forcing the Nuggets to miss 13 of their last 16 shots to end the third quarter.
Minnesota outscored Denver 60-37 in the second half as the Wolves’ momentum took over with every show-stopping play this decorated lineup added to the highlight reel en route to victory.
5. Jaden McDaniels cuts the lead under 10 with a 3-point bucket
Amid the Timberwolves’ third-quarter run, Jaden McDaniels made multiple big-time plays, hitting a critical 3-pointer at the 6:38 mark midway through the quarter to bring the Wolves within striking distance.
McDaniels remains one of the most underrated players in the league. But he certainly isn’t underappreciated. Just ask his teammates. When Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson asked Anthony Edwards postgame who was his MVP of this series, his answer was simple: “Jaden McDaniels,” said the two-time All-Star.
The Wolves versatile forward has established his reputation on the defensive end, but McDaniel’s offensive game has been disrespected for far too long.
With Edwards being doubled for much of this series, it has often left McDaniels with many open looks, which he capitalized on consistently with back-to-back 20-point nights. With performances like this, expect McDaniel’s confidence to grow as teams reevaluate leaving him open.
4. Anthony Edwards beats the 3rd quarter buzzer with step-back three to cap a 28-9 run
Edwards struggled all night from the field, making just six of his 24-shot attempts. But something about the biggest moment makes him relish in the spotlight. Edwards danced on Aaron Gordon before stepping back behind the arc for a beautiful fall-away 3-pointer as the third quarter expired, silencing the Denver crowd as he flexed on them.
NEEDED TREY 🐜 pic.twitter.com/3qlsNCbVq2
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) May 20, 2024
Despite a dreadful night offensively, Edward’s aura and confidence continue to lead and motivate his teammates to believe in each other as much as he believes in them and himself.
“I’m finna get in my bag.”
Anthony Edwards is LOCKED IN 🔥pic.twitter.com/BIs6W2L4zU
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 20, 2024
3. Rudy Gobert’s turnaround fadeaway over the Joker
Gobert has never been known for being a skilled offensive player, but the big man’s soft touch was on full display tonight. The star center had a handful of smooth layup finishes around the rim and he converted his chances at the free-throw line.
But the Frenchmen’s most impressive two points caught everyone by surprise as Gobert hit a midrange fade away jumper over Jokic, taking a page out of the three-time MVP’s book.
MY GOODNESS, BIG RU. pic.twitter.com/S2XEQaummo
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 20, 2024
Despite being the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Gobert received a lot of criticism for his poor defensive performance in Game 5 against Jokic. Even though Denver’s all-world big man averaged 29-11-8 throughout the series, Gobert’s presence undoubtedly wore down the best player in the world and impacted the Nugget’s offensive execution.
2. 5-point swing off Naz Reid’s putback slam to Ant’s Dagger 3
Two words. Naz Reid. The Sixth Man of the Year was the sparkplug off the bench the Wolves needed all series. Reid shifted the game’s flow with his impact in the fourth quarter. He had a smooth side step lay early in the fourth, then was subbed back in later, spelling Town’s and his five fouls with stifling defense against Jokic, sending his shot back twice.
But perhaps the game’s deciding sequence was triggered by Reid skying in the lane for a putback slam. The highlight sequence continued as Mike Conley came up with a steal finding Reid, who made a great pass to a wide-open Edwards. The high-flying guard would knock down the corner triple to give the Wolves a double-digit lead.
This sequence won the game:
– Naz Reid putback dunk over Joker
– Mike Conley steal
– Anthony Edwards corner 3Wolves went from up 87-82 to up 92-82 in 24 seconds.
Championship sequence. pic.twitter.com/E6JGdJ7S86
— Matt Throne (@Matt_Throne) May 20, 2024
1. KAT with the exclamation slam
Karl Anthony-Towns played an outstanding game. Towns silenced all the haters on the biggest stage in a closeout game. For a player who often receives a lot of blame for his lack of aggressiveness and disappearance in big moments—Towns continuously stepped up and hit big-time shots throughout the game to halt several of Denver’s big early runs and keep the Wolves in the game.
Minnesota struggled to buy a bucket, shooting less than 40 percent from the field as a team. On a night when Edwards and company struggled to make shots, Towns kept his composure and got himself going. He shot an efficient 8-of-14 from the field and saved his most impactful points for last.
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS WITH THE PUTBACK DAGGER 🔥
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 20, 2024
After many difficult early years in Minnesota plagued with injuries and trade rumors, Town’s patience is finally paying off. The Wolves are one step closer to their goal of bringing home the franchise’s first title as they prepare to tip off this Western Conference Finals series Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks.
