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[Saba Sports News] The Minnesota Timberwolves ousted the defending NBA champions Denver Nuggets, advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2004. In a pivotal Game 7 played on the Nuggets’ home court, the Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, orchestrated a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat the champions.
Denver initially appeared dominant, entering halftime with a 15-point lead by scoring 53 points to Minnesota’s 38. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic were instrumental in this early success, positioning the Nuggets favorably for another Western Conference Finals appearance.
However, the Timberwolves’ resilience shone through in the second half. Despite a lackluster performance in the first half where he scored only 4 points, Edwards rallied to finish with 16 points, contributing crucial baskets. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels each scored 23 points, leading the team, with every starter hitting double figures in scoring, and Naz Reid adding 11 points off the bench. This collective effort epitomized a quintessential team victory for Coach Chris Finch’s squad.
In contrast, the Nuggets relied heavily on just two players. Murray and Jokic scored 35 and 34 points, respectively, but the rest of the team struggled, with Michael Porter Jr. being the third-highest scorer with only 7 points. The game underscored the impact of role players in determining the outcome, rather than just the stars.
Online reactions on social media were largely celebratory, particularly among Laker fans who reveled in the elimination of the team that had dashed their playoff hopes in previous seasons. Fans also lauded Anthony Edwards’ remarkable performance in Game 7, as the Timberwolves ended the Nuggets’ aspirations of winning consecutive NBA championships.