Timberwolves 98 - 90 Nuggets summary stats, scores and highlights | NBA Playoffs Game 7
Game 1 of the WCF between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves is set for Wednesday at 8:30 PM from the Target Center.
ANT Man had a message for Charles Barkley who hasn't been in Minnesota in decades. He told Charles to "bring ya ass" and I don't think he was talking just to Barkley. He was talking to the Dallas Mavericks who they will meet in the Western Conference Finals.
While Edwards struggled most of the game, Karl-Anthony Towns came through and carried his team. He had 23 points and 12 rebounds while trying to keep an eye on Jokic on the defensive end. He is the spark plug for this team, and if it wasn't for his performance the Wolves would be the ones heading home early.
Edwards ended the night with just 16 points on 6/24 shooting but he kept he never dipped his head or his confidence. He kept shooting, kept fighting and in the end, he found his shot when it mattered.
Naz Reid is the Sixth Man of the Year for a reason. He does a little bit of everything for this team while creating a mismatch nightmare for the opposing team. Reid had 11 points and some huge plays down the stretch like this tip slam off the missed three from Edwards.
Rudy Gobert took a lot of slack in this series. He had a tough job limiting NIkola Jokic for seven games and a lot of people took shots at him. On Sunday night, Jokic still had 34 and 19 rebounds, but he had some big offensive boards late in the game, and when shots like these go down, you know there is something special brewing.
Conley putu the Wolves in the lead with this buzzer beating three ball and the Wolves would protect their lead from there on out.
Edwards had just four points until deep in the 3rd quarter, but like the rest of his team, locked down on defense and that led to buckets on the other end. He stepped up and defended Murray in the second half and held the Nuggets point guard to 9 points.
The Wolves went down by as many as 20 in the third quarter, but the Nuggets would score just three points in the next nine minutes. Minnesota used that to go on a 21-3 run to cut the lead to just a point heading into the final quarter. Mike Conley finished the game with 10 points and had a couple of huge threes during the Wolves run.
Jamal Murray went wild in the first half, scoring 24 points and lifting the Nuggets to a double digit lead for most of the opening two quarters. The defense kept them in the game along with Jaden McDaniels and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Even though Edwards wasn't scoring the ball, he was making an impact. A double team was waiting for him almost every time he touched the ball. and he would become more of a distributor than a scorer.
The Minnesota defense was one of the storylines of this series. In the opening two games the Wolves shut Denver down, and they did it again in Game 7. The Nuggets were help under 100 points 12 times this season, six of those were at the hands of the Timberwolves.
The Minnesota Timberwolves shocked the Denver Nuggets on their own floor by taking Game 7 and advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years. Karl-Anthony Towns carried the Wolves as Anthony Edwards struggled for the first three quarters in the 98-90 win.
Edwards got his first bucket early on, but really struggled from the field in his first Game 7. It was up to his teammates to help lift this young team over the defending champions and he got production from everyone, everywhere.
IT'S ALL OVER!!!
The Minnesota Timberwolves are heading to the Western Conference Finals after knocking off the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
McDaniels back to the line after the foul on Murray and he hits both FTs.
Jokic takes the open lane and dunks it.
McDaniels to the line after the foul on KCP and he hits one of two FTs.
Conley missed the lay up and but KAT came screaming in for the two handed tip slam.
Out of bounds off MIN and Jokic gets a quick jump hook to fall.
Murray on the baseline drive and lay up, and the Wolves will take that.
Murray misses a three ball and Conley gets the board before getting fouled. Conley hits one of two FTs with 1:17 left.
Jokic to the line after the foul on Gobert, his sixth, and he hits both FTs.
Murray got picked off by Conley and Reid found Edwards in the corner for three!!!
Timeout Nuggets with 3:05 to go in the 4th quarter!
Edwards misses the three ball but Reid is there with the one handed tip slam!
Reid with the offensive board, and he goes to the line after the foul on KCP. Both FTs are good and the Wolves lead by 5 with 4:10 to go.
Murray off the handoff and down the lane for the floater in the paint.
Reid skips past Jokic, and lays it up and in with the finger roll.
Timeout Nuggets with 5:02 to go in the 4th quarter.
Murray off the dribble from the wing and he finally appears in the second half.
Gobert to the line and he hits both FTs after the foul on Jokic.
Jokic pulls the trigger from the top of the key and Jokic has 14 of the las 17 Nuggets points.
KAT just picked up his 5th with just under 7:00 to go.
McDaniels to the strip after the foul on Gordon and he hits both FTs.
Gobert had to launch a prayer over Jokic on the fade away and some how that ball went in.
Timeout Wolves with 7:47 to go in the fourth quarter.
Jokic drains a three ball from the top of the key and that's his first after missing his first seven attempts from DT.
Gobert to the line after the foul on Braun and he hits both FTs.
Conley on the pump fake to sell Murray and he hits the three from the wing.
Porter got an inch of space and pulled up from the wing for three! He has been cold the last few games, but he knows how and when to hit big shots.
McDaniels spins in the lane, clears Murray out of his way and lays it up and in.
Jokic takes Gobert to the rack off the power dribble and hangs it up high for the lay up.
Reid on the block and he gets the roll with the jump hook.
Gobert starts the quarter with a lay up AND 1!!! FT is no good, but the Wolves have their first lead since it was 19-18
Edwards on the step back over Gordon and he laces it to end the quarter!
28--9 run to end the 4th and the Wolves have cut a 20 point lead to just 1.
KAT sends Jokic to the line and he hits both FTs.
Edwards picks Murray's pocket and he takes it for the steal and slam!
Jokic was going to miss the lay up but Reid came in and swiped at it trying to get the rebound but he was called for a goal tend.
KAT going back to the rack and gets the lay up to go.
Jokic on the step back fader from outside the lane and he hits it over KAT.
KAT to the line after the foul on Jackson and he hits both FTs.
Jokic lost it and Edwards was there for the scoop and the slam.
Timeout Nuggets who have let a 20 point lead dwindle down to 4. There's 3:03 to go in the third.
KAT off the dribble, goes into the body of Jokic and lays it up and in off the glass.
Gordon tips the air ball from KCP to Braun who floated one up and in as the buzzer sounded.
Extra pass from McDaniels to Conley in the corner and he drills the three ball!
Edwards drives and kicks out to McDaniels for the three ball in the corner.
Gobert with the block on one end and Edwards gets the rebound going coast to coast for the lay up.
Timeout DEn wit 7:24 to go in the 3rd quarter.
KAT to the line after the foul on Gordon and he hits both FTs.
Jokic to the line after the call stands and he hits one of two FTs.
Jokic to the line after the foul on KAT but MIN is going to challenge the call, thinking he got all ball on the lay up attempt.
Edwards draws the defense and kicks it out to McDaniels for three in the corner.
High low game working for MIN and KAT finds Gobert for the slam.
KCP running the break and he swings it over his head to Murray who drains the three ball!
Murray starts the quarter off with a floater in the lane.
WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION FROM DENVER.
Joker has been dominant on both ends. On offense he is pushing Gobert around, and on the defensive end he is all over the boards. He heads to the 2nd half with 13, 15 and 5.
Murray has 24 points at the half, and has been the one setting the tone in the biggest game of the season. He is looking the most mobile we have seen him in this series, and it couldn't come at a better time for DEN.
ANT has just four points in the first half. He came into tonight averaging 29 for the series. He's got to step up if the Wolves are going to have any chance.
MPJ, like Murray has been struggling this series, and has just 4 points but he knows how to come through in the clutch. Watch out for him in the second half.
Denver's duo has been carrying the way, but that is opening the floor up for the rest of the crew. KCP has 5, Gordon has 4 and KCP has 4. Those aren't great numbers but Jokic and Murray have been doing the heavy lifting.
Jamal Murray has had a rough series, but tonight he came to play. He made sure to let the Wolves know he was going to be a problem from the get go.
WE ARE HEADED TO HALFTIME AND THE NUGGETS STRETCHED THE LEAD TO 15 AT THE END OF THE HALF.
Murray running the break and he pull up over Gobert for the floater. He's got 24 on the night.
Jokic hitting the offensive boards and the put back with the foul on Edwards! FT is good.
Towns backing down Braun and he hits the fader on the baseline over Braun. He's got 13 on 5/6 shooting.
Timeout Nuggets with 2:13 to go in the half.
KAT with a huge three to keep the Wolves hanging around and quiet down the crowd.
Jokic gets his own rebound and puts it back up and in as Gobert hit the deck.
Braun to the line after the foul on Reid, and he hits one of two FTs.
Edwards to the line after the foul on KCP and he hits both FTs. He's got just 4 points tonight.
Murray penetrates, draws the defense and dumps it off for Gordon who slams is home!
KAT to the line after the foul on Braun and he hits both FTs.
Murray to the FT line after the foul on McDaniels and h hits both FTs.
Murray pulls up off the dribble and drills it over Anderson who got a piece of him on the follow through. FT is good.
KCP gets the handoff from Jokic and pulls up from the FT line.
Murray stops in the paint, and stretches to the lane for the finger roll.
Anderson to the line after the foul on KCP and he hits both FTs.
Conley with the steal and he hits McDaniels on the break for the open lay up.
Kick out from Anderson to McDaniels and he hits the three ball in the corner.
Murray to the line after the foul on McDaniels and he hits both FTs.
KAT was injured on the play after what looked to be a potential hyperextension, but he's going to stay in the game.
Gobert to the line after the foul on Holiday and he hits one of two FTs.
Murray sends Gobert to the line and he hits both FTs.
Braun wins the 50/50 ball at half court and gets fouled on the transition lay up attempt. FTs are good after the foul on Conley.
MPJ hits the elbow jumper right after the tip in and if he gets hot the Wolves are in trouble.
Timeout MIN with 9:40 to go in the 2nd quarter.
Braun missed the lay up down low but Porter was there for the tip in.
Jokic drills the elbow jumper to start the second quarter.
WE ARE AT THE END OF THE FIRST HALF AND THE NUGGETS LEAD BY FIVE!!
Murray has 13, while Jokic has 6, 5 and 4 assists.
KAT leads the Wolves with 6, wile Edwards has just 2.
Jokic posting up, kicks it out to Murray who catches it on the fly and drills the three ball!
Jokic finds Murray who puts it on the deck, steps back and drills the three from the top of the key.
Murray missed the reverse lay up but Gordon was there for the tip slam.
KAT backing down Murray and hits the turn around jump hook from outside the lane.
Murray backs his way into the paint and hits the fader over McDaniels.
Timeout Wolves with 2:00 to go in the first quarter.
Edwards scoops up the loose ball, takes it on the break, misses the lay up but McDaniels was there for the tip in.
Jokic follows his own miss with a tip in down low.
ANT finds Reid in the corner and he strokes the three right after coming off the bench.
Murray down the right side of the lane and he hangs it high off the glass.
Jokic on the floater in the paint and he's got a couple buckets in the first quarter.
Jokic skips it to KCP in the corner for the three ball!
KAT pump fakes on the perimeter and puts it on the deck for a lay up down the lane.
McDaniels hits the FT out of the break to complete the three point play.
McDaniels streaking into the lane from the corner and he hits the leaner and gets the foul! FTs coming after our first timeout from Denver.
Double came for ANT and that left Conley wide open from the corner for three.
Jokic off the dribble and finger rolls it down the heart of the paint.
Edwards stops on a dime and pulls up from the wing hitting a mid range jumper over Jokic and Gordon.
Towns on the baseline and he gets the mid range jumper to go.
Murray off the dribble in the corner and he drills the long ball over KAT.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM DENVER!!!
Wolves starters
The Wolves are coming off one of the best games of their seasons. They need their first five to come out swinging. It's Conley, Edwards, McDaniels, KAT and Gobert to start Game 7 on the road.
Nuggets starters
He's played all series, so of course he is going to play in Game 7 tonight. Jamal Murray is in the first five with KCP, MPJ, Gordon and Jokic. This has been the best starting five all season. Tonight the defending champs need their starters to show out tonight.
Game 7 history
The Wolves have only been in one Game 7 in the history of their franchise. It came 20 years ago when they beat the Sacramento Kings on their way to the Western Conference Finals. Kevin Durant and the Wolves went on to lose to the Lakers in Game 6. The Nuggets are 4-3 in Game 7s all time, but in recent memory they have won three of four with Jokic and Murray on the floor. They beat the Spurs in 2019 before losing to the Blazers in the second round. The next year Denver beat the Jazz in round one from the Bubble and then took down the Clippers in seven games before losing to the Lakers in the Conference Finals.
Pacers advance
The Indiana Pacers are moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals. They went into New York and knocked off the second seeded Knicks from Madison Square Garden. The Pacers shot an NBA Playoff record 67.1% on a night that Jalen Brunson fractured his left hand and had to sit out most of the second half. The Pacers are moving to play the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals after winning Game 7 on the road. Will the T'Wolves make it to road teams advancing to the Conference Finals or will it be Denver continuing their back to back bid tonight?
Murray magic awaiting?
If this series has shown us anything it’s that Jamal Murray is far from 100%. He has been shut down or held extremely quiet throughout this series, and that’s why we are in a Game 7 situation tonight. We have seen how good he can be in the postseason, and how good the Nuggets can be when he is on top of his game. There is no doubt the calf strain he suffered in the first round series against the Lakers has affected his performance, but if the Nuggets are going to advance tonight he’s going to have to do better than the 15 points and 4 assists that he is averaging in this series.
All eyes on ANT
Who else could we or would we talk about in a Game 7 for the Timberwolves other than Anthony Edwards? We have seen him score 40 points and Minnesota win and score 40 points and the Wolves lose. He had the worst game of the series in Game 5, scoring just 18 points in the loss but he bounced back and had 27 in the Game 6 win from Minnesota and could have gone for 40 if he would have played the fourth quarter. We have come to expect the best from the 22 year old, and tonight we will be expecting nothing less in the do or die game from Denver
Game 6 recap
The Nuggets went into Minnesota and took a quick 9-2 lead to start the game, but that was about the only time they looked like they had a chance to win Game 6 from Target Center. They would go on a 5:30 minutes scoreless drought and the T’Wolves took advantage with a 20-0 run to take a double digit lead at the end of the first quarter and they cruised to victory after that. Their defense looked like it did back in the first games of this series and Anthony Edwards finally got some help from the other guys on the team. Edwards had 27, but got 21 from Jaden McDaniels, and 13 from Mike Conley as the lead climbed up to as much as 50 and the starters for both teams say out the final quarter.
We are live from Denver
Hello everyone and welcome to the Mile High City where the Nuggets return home looking to survive and advance after missing out on an opportunity to close out the Timberwolves in Minnesota, and now they will have to bounce back after getting their butts handed to them in Game 6. This young T’Wolves team had their backs against the ropes and were under all the pressure in the world at home facing elimination, but they came out and stood on business wiping out the Nuggets and forcing this do or die game tonight from Denver. Will the Nuggets keep chasing their second straight title, or will the Wolves take one step closer to their first title in franchise history?
Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Game 7 live
There are no two better words in sports than: Game 7. That’s exactly what we have in store tonight in the second of two decisive games of the night. The defending champions are looking to keep their back to back bid alive tonight against the new kids on the block hoping to knock the kings off their throne. It’s the Denver Nuggets taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves for a spot in the Conference Final and AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis from Game 7 from Ball Arena.