By Matija Šerić
In the night from Thursday to Friday, the first major surprise of this year’s NBA playoffs occurred – Minnesota won Game 6 of the series 110:98, eliminating the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić with a 4–2 result. While a difficult series was expected, as the Timberwolves are known for their unique culture of resilience and competitiveness, especially in the playoffs, few could have predicted they would manage to knock out the Nuggets. Nevertheless, Minnesota’s victory is unquestionably deserved.
Broken dreams of the Joker
Denver last won the championship three years ago, and many believed they could at least reach the Western Conference Finals this season, but they fell short. Although they closed the regular season with 12 straight wins and secured third place in the West, they ran into a trap that ended their season. Nothing happened by chance, and there are numerous reasons behind this outcome.
Jokić and Murray underperformed in the playoffs
Denver’s main stars, Jokić and Jamal Murray, simply were not at their best in the playoffs. They still posted strong numbers by general standards, but more was expected from them. In 65 regular-season games, Jokić averaged 27.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists, while in the playoffs he averaged 25.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 9.5 assists. The decline is not dramatic, but after his injury Jokić was not fully himself. The main reason for his reduced effectiveness was Rudy Gobert, who managed to partially neutralize him. In Game 3, Jokić shot only 26.9%. Overall, he lacked freedom in the paint, while Minnesota’s defensive pressure reduced his playmaking output.
Murray averaged 25.4 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.4 rebounds in the regular season. In the playoffs, his numbers dropped to 23.7 points (35.7% shooting), 5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. He struggled significantly with his shooting, and it was no coincidence. He was contained by Minnesota’s excellent defense, with Jaden McDaniels playing the key role.
Minnesota’s brilliant defense
Jokić and Murray were not the only issues. Their struggles were largely a consequence of Minnesota’s collective defensive effort, particularly in limiting Denver’s offense. The Nuggets averaged 122.1 points in the regular season but only 107.5 in the playoffs. In some games, they failed to even reach 100 points, including the final one in which they scored 98.
Injuries also played a major role. Payton Watson missed the entire playoffs due to an injury sustained on April 1, while Aaron Gordon appeared in only three playoff games. Their absence was especially visible on defense, as Denver lacked the depth and intensity to pressure Minnesota over 48 minutes, which proved decisive.
Tactical masterclass by Finch in Game 6
Much of Minnesota’s success comes down to matchups. The coaching philosophy of Chris Finch did not suit Denver coach David Adelman, who failed to find effective answers. Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid physically dominated the Nuggets, especially in Game 6.
Finch made a bold adjustment after injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo in Game 4. Even reserve guard Ayo Dosunmu, who scored 43 points in Game 4, was unavailable for Game 6. Despite these setbacks, Finch and his staff continuously found solutions.
Minnesota shifted away from guard-oriented play and focused on interior dominance (Gobert–Reid–Randle), preventing Denver from establishing any rhythm. Veteran Mike Conley started the game, while Terrence Shannon Jr. was inserted into the starting lineup and responded with 24 points in 35 minutes.
An undermanned Timberwolves roster blending youth and experience
The pace and aggression of Shannon, McDaniels, and others constantly pressured Denver, and their drives helped Minnesota dominate the paint 64:40. The Timberwolves also won the rebounding battle 50:33. That level of dominance created second-chance opportunities and prevented Denver from taking control of the game.
The standout performance of Game 6 came from Jaden McDaniels, who recorded 32 points and 10 rebounds without a single turnover in 45 minutes, along with elite defensive impact. Gobert added 10 points and 13 rebounds. Minnesota’s 110:98 victory at Target Center could have been even more convincing given the overall control they had.
Minnesota’s mental dominance
The Timberwolves were also mentally stronger. Their provocations triggered emotional responses from Denver players. After Game 2, McDaniels stated that the Nuggets did not have good defenders. Tensions peaked in Game 4 when McDaniels scored just before the buzzer, breaking unwritten sports etiquette. Jokić ran across the court and confronted him, leading to a scuffle. Jokić and Randle were fined $50,000 and $35,000 respectively.
Uncertain future for Denver
What happens next with Denver’s roster remains unclear. Jokić jokingly said, “Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we’d all get fired.” After this shocking elimination, changes are expected, and coaches are often the first to be held accountable. David Adelman accepted responsibility for the poor playoff finish, but Jokić disagreed: “He can’t be blamed for our rebounding. It makes no sense to blame him. It was our responsibility.”
A roster restructuring is likely, although the Serbian star has stated he intends to spend his entire career in Denver. The team’s $200 million payroll is difficult to justify after a quarterfinal exit.
Minnesota can go far
The Timberwolves now face the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals, with home-court advantage belonging to San Antonio. Once again, analysts are underestimating Minnesota, just as they did in the previous round.
However, this team has shown an exceptional ability to adapt, evolve, and respond to injuries and different opponents. The semifinal series promises to be highly entertaining. If Anthony Edwards returns (expected around Game 3 or 4), Minnesota’s chances will increase significantly.
