The Minnesota Timberwolves handed the Denver Nuggets a devastating 106-80 defeat on Monday, leaving the defending NBA champions reeling.
The Timberwolves’ convincing win gave them a 2-0 series lead and stole home court advantage from the Nuggets. Minnesota’s dominant performance was made even more impressive by the fact that they achieved it without Rudy Gobert, their star defensive player, who missed Game 2 due to the birth of his son.
The Nuggets’ offense, which has been a strength for the team over the last two seasons, was stifled by the Timberwolves’ defense. Denver’s 80 points were their lowest scoring output since January 2018. Nikola Jokic, who is expected to be named NBA MVP for the third time in his career, was visibly frustrated after the game.
“I don’t know. We will see,” Jokic said when asked how his team would respond in Game 3.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Nuggets coach Michael Malone was also critical of his team’s performance. “It was a very, very quiet locker room…I’m taking it as – our guys are disappointed in that performance…we got outcoached and outplayed,” Malone said.
Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves’ 22-year-old star, was instrumental in their win, scoring 27 points and taunting the Nuggets throughout the game. “Let me put it like this: When Ant is out there talking his stuff, I know that we’re in for a good night,” Edwards’ teammate Karl-Anthony Towns said.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
The Nuggets will need to find a way to contain Edwards, averaging 32.3 points per game in the playoffs, if they hope to turn the series around. They must also solve their offensive woes as the series heads to Minnesota for Game 3.
“We got outcoached and outplayed,” Malone said. “We need to find a way to respond.”
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