The Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the reigning and defending NBA champions Denver Nuggets to go to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2004. Playing away from home in a crucial Game 7, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves had an all-time great second half to send the champs home.
The Denver Nuggets have been eliminated from the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/uFq6sryHZl
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 20, 2024
The Nuggets actually went into halftime with a 15-point lead, as they held the Timberwolves to a measly 38 points across the first half while scoring 53 of their own. Murray and Jokic were playing really well in the first half, and it looked like the Nuggets would return to the Western Conference Finals.
The Denver Nuggets’ 2024 NBA championship hopes. pic.twitter.com/aQvtPjPMyZ
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) May 20, 2024
It was in the second half that the Timberwolves locked in and rallied to come back, erasing much of the deficit as Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns led the team in their offensive push against the Denver Nuggets. Edwards had a poor first half, scoring only 4 points, but ended the game with 16 points, making some important shots in the second half.
What a season for the Denver Nuggets.
Didn’t end how we wanted it to, but still a fun one pic.twitter.com/AK3Py6oxxC
— Nuggets Lead (@NuggetsLead) May 20, 2024
Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels led the team in scoring, with both players scoring 23 points in the game. The entire Timberwolves starting lineup was in double-digits, and even Naz Reid contributed with 11 points. This was definitely a team win for Chris Finch’s squad tonight.
Tonight wasn't the first time the Denver Nuggets blew a double digit lead at home game 7 vs a division rival. pic.twitter.com/oJVLGEiTRE
— Alterraun⚡ (@Hockfan445) May 20, 2024
In contrast, the Denver Nuggets were just a two-man army. Both Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic scored 35 and 34 points respectively, leading their team in scoring. Whereas, the rest of the Nuggets squad didn’t even break double-digits, with Michael Porter Jr. being the third-highest scorer for Denver with just 7 points. This was truly a game defined by the role players rather than superstars.
Ladies and gentlemen we’ve defeated and compromised to a permanent end the terrorist organization known as the Denver nuggets pic.twitter.com/hO61RhdNUf
— gabriel🎈 (@Gabitox23) May 20, 2024
On X, most of the reactions were celebratory, as Laker fans decided to mock the team that eliminated them from playoff contention in consecutive seasons. But a lot of fans also talked about just how incredible Anthony Edwards was in Game 7. Many fans were celebrating the Timberwolves putting an end to the Nuggets’ hopes and dreams of going back-to-back and winning consecutive NBA championships.
Anthony Edwards is the *perfect* superstar archetype.
— Nigel Broadnax (@BroadnaxWrites) May 20, 2024
Anthony Edwards might really be MJ’s kid after all pic.twitter.com/XCer5cURDy
— James Winchester Stan (@PasquatchWRLD) May 20, 2024
https://twitter.com/speeds_c/status/1792383129593724933
THE DENVER NUGGETS ARE GOING TO CANCUN🔥
WE LIT🔥 pic.twitter.com/6Pt0MWEai8
— WestGoat🐐 (@yoboykev34) May 20, 2024
The Nuggets now hold the record for being the team with the two largest leads blown at home in Game 7s, with them blowing a 20-point lead tonight, and a 17-point lead five years ago against the Portland Trail Blazers. For the Nuggets, this is not how they hoped their playoff run would end this year.
Can The Minnesota Timberwolves Go All The Way?
The Timberwolves have taken a massive leap this year, as they ended the regular season as the second seed in the Western Conference. On top of that, they swept the Phoenix Suns, who were picked as one of the favorites heading into the season, because they had a big three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal.
Chris Finch has gotten this team to play well with each other. Anthony Edwards credited Finch for making sure the team didn’t start fighting, as he intervened at the right time during Game 6 against the Nuggets.
Anthony Edwards’ role in the Timberwolves’ win against the Nuggets cannot be understated. The Timberwolves have really lived and died by Ant’s performances, and he delivered big-time for them. Edwards averaged 27.7 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds in seven games against the Nuggets, and made some huge shots for them.
Now, the Timberwolves will have to take on the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. Fans will be salivating at the chance to see Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic go head to head in the playoffs, as they are two of the most exciting players in the post-season. But can the Timberwolves win it all this season? They certainly have a strong chance if they keep playing like this.
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