The Minnesota Timberwolves looked dead after losing three consecutive games to fall to a 3-2 series deficit. They rebounded in Game 6 with the most dominant win of the 2024 Playoffs, winning by 45 points and holding the Nuggets to 70 points.
Anthony Edwards knew this team could achieve this, telling the locker room staff in Denver’s home arena that the Wolves would be back for Game 7 after losing Game 5.
“Hell yeah. Y’all were in there. I told them, ‘I’ll see y’all motherf****ers for Game 7.”
Anthony Edwards confirms the rumors pic.twitter.com/LE6xP66DDk
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 17, 2024
Edwards’ premonition has come true, as the Wolves absolutely dominated the Nuggets in Game 6 with a 115-70 win. This might have been one of the best team defensive performances of the last 20 years, a bar many believe the Wolves had set with their Game 2 win.
Edwards scored 27 points in the win, carrying the Wolves offensively though the defense was likely going to lead them to this win anyway. Nikola Jokic put up just 22 points, struggling in the Rudy Gobert matchup, a vindication for the French center. Although, the Wolves did pressure Jokic far more with multiple defenders, helping Gobert excel in his role as a help defender at the rim.
Minnesota’s adjustments, especially with how they guard Jokic worked wonders. But the Wolves can’t bank on this win being a series-changer, as they have to pull out one more road win in Denver to advance to their first Conference Finals since 2004 and eliminate the reigning champions.
Anthony Edwards Is Proving He’s A Superstar
The Timberwolves playoff success was always going to be dependent on how far Anthony Edwards can carry them, especially with the team’s offensive limitations. He’s answered the call perfectly, averaging 30.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists so far. Even a Game 7 loss can’t take away from the wonderful basketball Edwards has played in the postseason, though he won’t be willing to settle for that.
Edwards has played a crucial leadership role for his team as well, constantly motivating his teammates and helping them stay locked in. He was caught giving an encouraging talk to his teammates on the bench during Game 6.
“This is what I was talking about the other day: We get a lead and get comfortable. Keep your foot on the gas.”
"This is what I was talking about the other day: We get a lead and get comfortable. Keep your foot on the gas."
Anthony Edwards' leadership on full display in Timberwolves-Nuggets Game 6 💯pic.twitter.com/byCCpdyAq9
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 17, 2024
Many expected this Nuggets vs. Wolves series to go seven games because of how the teams are built to match up against them. Those odds looked toast when the Wolves ran out to a 2-0 lead as the road team, but the Nuggets brought normalcy back by winning two games in Minnesota and defending home court in Game 5.
The Wolves have done their bit to force a Game 7, but this would be a pretty bad series loss given the odds of teams overturning 0-2 deficits, especially after losing the opening two games at home. We have to remember the Nuggets are the reigning champions and that Jokic is the best player in the world right now.
Minnesota needs to keep their defensive energy up in Game 7 and bother the Nuggets enough to get another cold offensive performance, something we’ve already seen in Games 2 and 6.
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