The intensity of the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves rivalry came to the surface once again as Denver got eliminated from the playoffs tonight, despite a depleted Minnesota roster. The game ended 110-98 in favor of the Timberwolves.
During the fourth quarter, Nikola Jokic got into an altercation with Jaylen Clark of the Timberwolves, and Naz Reid also got involved to defend his young teammate from the Serbian big man.
The Nuggets were down 80-86 with a little less than ten minutes left in the fourth, when the Timberwolves’ Clark was called for a foul on Jokic while the Serbian big man was running a pick-and-roll with Tyus Jones at the top of the arc.
Clark seemed unhappy with Jokic’s physicality and shoved him from behind, which the Serbian big man did not take lightly. He shoved Clark in return before holding him in confrontation. Naz Reid came in from behind and shoved Nikola Jokic to the ground as the altercation grew bigger near the half-court line, and officials were forced to intervene and separate the players.
JAYLEN CLARK AND NIKOLA JOKIC GOING AT IT pic.twitter.com/bWEySEb07F
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 1, 2026
Eventually, all three players involved were assessed technical fouls, and the game went on with one free throw for the Nuggets. NBA fans saw this incident on social media and expressed their opinions focused on Nikola Jokic’s temper, and also called him out for initiating fights.
“The media darling, really has an anger issue.”
“Jokic has been getting bullied by the Timberwolves.”
“Probably the most hated player by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Naz Reid was fortunate not to have been ejected.”
“Jokic has been punked so many times in this series that he should just retire. Sore loser, and his career is washed.”
“Jokic getting punked by a bench warmer.”
Several such reactions flooded social media as it became increasingly evident that the nerves were getting to Nikola Jokic, who was doing everything he possibly could to win this game for the Nuggets and force a Game 7 at home.
The Serbian big man’s night ended one rebound short of a triple-double. He had 28 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds while going 11-19 from the field (57.9 FG%) and 1-5 from beyond the arc (20.0 3P%).
A noteworthy observation during the altercation was that Jaden McDaniels, who has somewhat taken up the villain role against Denver in this series, was playing a peacemaker in this scuffle as he pulled Clark away.
McDaniels was letting his game do the talking tonight as he shouldered the offensive burden for the Timberwolves in the absence of Anthony Edwards, Ayo Dosunmu, and Donte DiVincenzo. He finished the game with 32 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals to lead all scorers for the Timberwolves (13-25 FG, 52.0 FG%).
The Timberwolves have successfully sent the Nuggets home in Game 6 and will now face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs in the second round. It will be a nail-biting series, just like this one was until the Timberwolves closed it out tonight.
Minnesota will get a few days of rest now before heading to San Antonio for Game 1 of their second-round series on Monday, May 4.
