Initial thoughts from the Nuggets’ embarrassing Game 6 loss to the Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals:
Murray struggles: Nuggets star Jamal Murray was no longer the enemy. And he needed the energy from the boos. The Nuggets missed more open shots than T.J. Hooker. Murray symbolized the struggles as the fans ignored him. He had his latest frigid start, scoring two points in the first half on 1-of-10 shooting. He did not make his first 3-pointer until 8:06 remaining in the third quarter and finished with 10 points before icing his elbow on the bench. The Nuggets clanked 17 of their first 21 3s, setting up a knockout game on Sunday. The sellout crowd began chanting “Wolves in 7!” with 8:33 remaining. The Nuggets have won their last two Game 7s, both coming in the bubble vs. the Jazz and Clippers. And, let’s remember, they have a one-game winning streak at Ball Arena. So, there’s that.
McDaniels McNuggets: The postseason remains a fertile ground for unlikely contributors. Thursday, Jaden McDaniels filled the role, playing with the dynamic athleticism of Heisman quarterback Jayden Daniels. After going scoreless in Game 5, McDaniels took up the Nuggets’ dare to shoot. He was hot from the start, scoring 13 in the first half. He had not scored more than 11 in the previous five games. McDaniels delivered 21 points, just shy of his career playoff high of 25 set against the Suns in the first round. Anthony Edwards got his — he had more points at half (19) than he did in Game 5 (18) and battled through a right hip injury — but it was McDaniels who provided the surprising thump.
20–20-0 Vision: In the first quarter, it was like the Nuggets underwent identity bypass surgery. They committed four turnovers, including two from Nikola Jokic who had zero on 129 touches in Game 5. They missed easy jump shots, and they showed panic as they fell into a sinkhole and brought the crowd to life. Faith was fading in Minnesota as the get-in ticket price dropped from $530 in Game 3 to $70 for Game 6. The fans who packed Target Center were rewarded. The Timberwolves answered the Nuggets’ 9-0 run with a 20-0 burst that shoved them ahead 22-9, a lead they would never relinquish in a blowout.
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