Game ID: 42300231
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DEN 25 19 27 28 99MIN 23 17 33 33 106
DEN vs MIN ScoutingDEN vs MIN Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
DEN availability going into 4/22 · 1 day's restBACK Gordon back 4/10 after 2, 29 min since (89% of 32)
BACK Jordan back 4/20 after 5, 9 min since (80% of 11)
DEN availability going into 4/25 · 2 days' restOUT Strawther missed 2 since 4/20, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 4/10 after 2, 31 min since (96% of 32)
BACK Jordan back 4/20 after 5, 9 min since (80% of 11)
DEN availability going into 4/27 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 2 since 4/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 3 since 4/20, out tonight
DEN availability going into 4/29 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 3 since 4/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 4 since 4/20, out tonight
DEN availability going into 5/04 · 4 days' restOUT Jordan missed 4 since 4/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 5 since 4/20, out tonight
NEW Murray 33 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Gordon 32 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Porter Jr. 32 to 39 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 5/06 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 5 since 4/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 6 since 4/20, returns tonight: 4 min (33% of 11)
NEW Jokić 35 to 41 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 33 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Gordon 32 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Porter Jr. 32 to 40 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 5/10 · 3 days' restOUT Jordan missed 6 since 4/22, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 5/06 after 6, 4 min since (33% of 11)
NEW Murray 33 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Gordon 32 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Porter Jr. 32 to 40 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 5/12 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 7 since 4/22, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 5/06 after 6, 4 min since (34% of 11)
NEW Gordon 32 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Porter Jr. 32 to 39 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 5/14 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 8 since 4/22, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 5/06 after 6, 4 min since (34% of 11)
NEW Porter Jr. 32 to 38 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 4/20 · 5 days' restBACK Towns back 4/12 after 18, 28 min since (87% of 33)
MIN availability going into 4/23 · 2 days' restBACK Towns back 4/12 after 18, 28 min since (85% of 33)
MIN availability going into 4/26 · 2 days' restBACK Towns back 4/12 after 18, 27 min since (82% of 33)
MIN availability going into 4/28 · 1 day's restBACK Towns back 4/12 after 18, 26 min since (80% of 33)
MIN availability going into 5/04 · 5 days' restOUT McLaughlin missed 2 since 4/26, out tonight
MIN availability going into 5/06 · 1 day's restOUT McLaughlin missed 3 since 4/26, returns tonight: 3 min (30% of 11)
NEW McDaniels 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 24 to 29 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 5/10 · 3 days' restBACK McLaughlin back 5/06 after 3, 3 min since (30% of 11)
NEW Alexander-Walker 24 to 30 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 5/12 · 1 day's restBACK McLaughlin back 5/06 after 3, 6 min since (53% of 11)
NEW Alexander-Walker 24 to 29 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 5/14 · 1 day's restBACK McLaughlin back 5/06 after 3, 6 min since (53% of 11)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 106, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 16 free throws a game; Jokić at 28 and Murray at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. 4 days' rest. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 29 free throws a game; Edwards at 27 and Towns at 17 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 12 a night. 5 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the line, where Minnesota takes 29 free throws a game to Denver's 16 and the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-12 a night and Denver plus-5. Call it Denver 111, Minnesota 109, Minnesota keeping it close.
4/22 vs LAL 101-99 — DEN notes
DEN won 101-99. DEN shot 44% (39 of 88) to LAL's 49%, 8 of 34 from three. DEN turned it over 9 times to LAL's 14. Jokić led with 27 (9 of 16, 2 of 4 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Porter Jr. added 22, Murray 20. The hinge was Q4, 32-20: DEN came in trailing by 10 and left it ahead by 2. DEN trailed 44-59 at the half and won the second half 57-40. Watson was the night's best plus/minus at +11.
4/25 @ LAL 112-105 — DEN notes
DEN won 112-105. DEN shot 49% (44 of 90) to LAL's 49%, 5 of 28 from three. DEN turned it over 13 times to LAL's 7, and LAL turned those into 8 steals. The glass went 51-38 for them. Gordon led with 29 (12 of 18, 5 of 6 at the line); Jokić added 24, Murray 22. The hinge was Q3, 34-22: DEN came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 8, and the lead reached 15. DEN trailed 49-53 at the half and won the second half 63-52. Watson was the night's best plus/minus at +9.
4/27 @ LAL 108-119 — DEN notes
DEN lost 108-119. DEN shot 45% (39 of 87) to LAL's 52%, 9 of 30 from three, and went to the line 25 times to LAL's 18 — 21 points from the stripe to their 15. Jokić led with 33 (10 of 20, 2 of 5 from three, 11 of 11 at the line); Porter Jr. added 27, Murray 22. Q3 was theirs, 32-30, the deficit cut from 13 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 89-76 against them. Braun's -13 in 12 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/29 vs LAL 108-106 — DEN notes
DEN won 108-106. DEN shot 47% (42 of 89) to LAL's 46%, 16 of 38 from three, and got to the line 9 times to LAL's 27. DEN turned it over 13 times to LAL's 8. Murray led with 32 (13 of 28, 5 of 10 from three); Porter Jr. added 26, Jokić 25. The hinge was Q3, 31-26: DEN came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 2. DEN trailed 50-53 at the half and won the second half 58-53. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
5/04 vs MIN 99-106 — DEN notes
DEN lost 99-106. DEN shot 47% (35 of 75) to MIN's 52%, 13 of 31 from three, and went to the line 20 times to MIN's 12 — 16 points from the stripe to their 9. Jokić led with 32 (11 of 25, 2 of 9 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Porter Jr. added 20, Murray 17. Q1 was theirs, 25-23, but the other 3 periods went 83-74 against them. Gordon's -23 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
5/06 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jokić at 28 and Porter Jr. at 23 a game. One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 102, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 33 and Towns at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 13 a night. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-13 a night and Denver plus-2 and the arc, Minnesota at 37 percent from three to Denver's 32. Call it Minnesota 110, Denver 108, Denver keeping it close.
5/10 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 99, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Towns at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. 3 days' rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. 3 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 99 a night to Denver's 108 and the arc, Minnesota at 38 percent from three to Denver's 33. Call it Minnesota 112, Denver 104.
5/12 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 104, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Edwards at 33 and Towns at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Murray at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Minnesota 111, Denver 105.
5/14 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 103, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 16 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Murray at 20 a game. One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 35 and Towns at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the line, where Minnesota takes 22 free throws a game to Denver's 16. Call it Denver 109, Minnesota 106, Minnesota keeping it close.
4/20 vs PHX 120-95 — MIN notes
MIN won 120-95. MIN shot 50% (44 of 88) to PHX's 44%, 12 of 32 from three. The glass went 52-28 for them. Edwards led with 33 (14 of 24, 4 of 8 from three); Towns added 19, Alexander-Walker 18. The hinge was Q2, 34-23: MIN came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 10, and the lead reached 27. Alexander-Walker was the night's best plus/minus at +28.
4/23 vs PHX 105-93 — MIN notes
MIN won 105-93. MIN shot 45% (35 of 78) to PHX's 45%, 9 of 32 from three, and went to the line 30 times to PHX's 19 — 26 points from the stripe to their 15. MIN turned it over 13 times to PHX's 19. McDaniels led with 25 (10 of 17, 2 of 4 from three); Gobert added 18, Conley 18. The hinge was Q3, 28-20: MIN came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 7, and the lead reached 19. MIN trailed 50-51 at the half and won the second half 55-42. McDaniels was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
4/26 @ PHX 126-109 — MIN notes
MIN won 126-109. MIN shot 49% (43 of 87) to PHX's 46%, 13 of 34 from three. The glass went 50-28 for them. Edwards led with 36 (12 of 23, 1 of 5 from three, 11 of 11 at the line); Gobert added 19, Towns 18. The hinge was Q3, 36-20: a lead of 6 became 22. Alexander-Walker was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
4/28 @ PHX 122-116 — MIN notes
MIN won 122-116. MIN shot 46% (41 of 89) to PHX's 51%, 15 of 36 from three. The glass went 44-33 for them. Edwards led with 40 (13 of 23, 7 of 13 from three, 7 of 10 at the line); Towns added 28, McDaniels 18. The hinge was Q4, 32-24: MIN came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 6. MIN trailed 56-61 at the half and won the second half 66-55. Conley was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
5/04 @ DEN 106-99 — MIN notes
MIN won 106-99. MIN shot 52% (43 of 82) to DEN's 47%, 11 of 27 from three, and got to the line 12 times to DEN's 20. Edwards led with 43 (17 of 29, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Towns added 20, Reid 16. The hinge was Q3, 33-27: MIN came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 2. MIN trailed 40-44 at the half and won the second half 66-55. Conley was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
5/06 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jokić at 28 and Porter Jr. at 23 a game. One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 102, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 33 and Towns at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 13 a night. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-13 a night and Denver plus-2 and the arc, Minnesota at 37 percent from three to Denver's 32. Call it Minnesota 110, Denver 108, Denver keeping it close.
5/10 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 99, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Towns at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. 3 days' rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. 3 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 99 a night to Denver's 108 and the arc, Minnesota at 38 percent from three to Denver's 33. Call it Minnesota 112, Denver 104.
5/12 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 104, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Edwards at 33 and Towns at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Murray at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Minnesota 111, Denver 105.
5/14 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 103, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 16 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Murray at 20 a game. One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 35 and Towns at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the line, where Minnesota takes 22 free throws a game to Denver's 16. Call it Denver 109, Minnesota 106, Minnesota keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
CB C. Braun
JH J. Holiday
JM J. Murray
JO Jokic
KC K. Caldwell-Pope
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
RJ R. Jackson
MINAE A. Edwards
JM J. McDaniels
KA K. Anderson
KT K. Towns
MC M. Conley
MM M. Morris
NA N. Alexander-Walker
NR N. Reid
RG R. Gobert
DEN/MIN the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
MIN @ DEN Possessions
|||
Q1Q2Q3Q4END10624:589823:02-8-1:55
# Team Start Dur TOP PM PlayersEventsOffset
Q11 DEN Q1 12:00 23s 0:23JMJ. MurrayNJN. Jokić │ KTK. TownsJUMP TO │ FL0 232 MIN Q1 11:37 16s 0:16MCM. ConleyX3.LW.25133 DEN Q1 11:21 16s 0:39KCK. Caldwell-PopeNJN. JokićDR X2.SO.100 134 MIN Q1 11:05 14s 0:30+3RGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsDR M3.LC.250 145 DEN Q1 10:51 19s 0:58JMJ. MurrayX3.LC.23156 MIN Q1 10:32 3s 0:33+3AEA. EdwardsKTK. TownsMCM. ConleyKTK. TownsFL DR AST M2.LW.060 0 3 37 DEN Q1 10:29 16s 1:14AGA. GordonJMJ. MurrayFL X3.SO.250 138 MIN Q1 10:13 14s 0:47+3RGR. GobertRGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsDR AST M2.SO.100 14 149 DEN Q1 09:59 19s 1:33+2JMJ. MurrayJMJ. MurrayAGA. GordonFL AST M2.RM.010 19 1910 MIN Q1 09:40 31s 1:18JMJ. McDanielsX3.RC.242811 DEN Q1 09:09 7s 1:40AGA. GordonKCK. Caldwell-PopeDR TO0 712 MIN Q1 09:02 11s 1:29+3AEA. EdwardsM3.LW.271113 DEN Q1 08:51 18s 1:58DENDEN — teamJMJ. MurrayTM X2.LW.072 1714 MIN Q1 08:33 7s 1:36+2RGR. GobertMCM. ConleyAEA. EdwardsDR AST M2.RM.020 7 715 DEN Q1 08:26 21s 2:19NJN. JokićX2.SO.091816 MIN Q1 08:05 29s 2:05JMJ. McDanielsRGR. GobertMCM. ConleyJMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsFL DR X2.LW.16 OR X2.RM.03 OR X2.RM.01 OR X2.RM.030 0 21 25 27 28 28 28 2917 DEN Q1 07:36 8s 2:27+2NJN. JokićKCK. Caldwell-PopeMPM. Porter Jr.DR AST M2.LW.100 8 818 MIN Q1 07:28 28s 2:33KTK. TownsX3.RC.242819 DEN Q1 07:00 12s 2:39NJN. JokićNJN. JokićDR X2.RM.040 1220 MIN Q1 06:48 16s 2:49+2JMJ. McDanielsMINMIN — teamKTK. TownsAEA. EdwardsBLK DR AST M2.RM.030 0 16 1621 DEN Q1 06:32 22s 3:01MPM. Porter Jr.X2.SO.201922 MIN Q1 06:10 8s 2:57RGR. GobertMCM. ConleyDR TO0 823 DEN Q1 06:02 15s 3:16NJN. JokićMPM. Porter Jr.STL TO0 1524 MIN Q1 05:47 11s 3:08AEA. EdwardsX2.RW.121125 DEN Q1 05:36 14s 3:30KCK. Caldwell-PopeDENDEN — teamNJN. JokićBLK DR X3.SO.250 0 1226 MIN Q1 05:22 10s 3:18+2RGR. GobertKTK. TownsRGR. GobertDR AST M2.RM.010 10 1027 DEN Q1 05:12 22s 3:52+2DENDEN — teamNJN. JokićTM M2.SO.070 2228 MIN Q1 04:50 25s 3:43NRN. ReidX2.RC.042129 DEN Q1 04:25 12s 4:04+3MPM. Porter Jr.JOJokicMPM. Porter Jr.DR AST M3.SO.250 12 1230 MIN Q1 04:13 24s 4:07AEA. EdwardsX2.LW.112131 DEN Q1 03:49 8s 4:12JHJ. HolidayMPM. Porter Jr.DR X2.RM.020 632 MIN Q1 03:41 11s 4:18RGR. GobertJMJ. McDanielsRGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsBLK DR X2.RM.02 OR X20 0 7 10 1033 DEN Q1 03:30 9s 4:21KCK. Caldwell-PopeJHJ. HolidayDR X3.LC.230 634 MIN Q1 03:21 6s 4:24JMJ. McDanielsNRN. ReidDR TO0 635 DEN Q1 03:15 8s 4:29+2MPM. Porter Jr.NJN. JokićNJN. JokićSTL FT FT0 8 836 MIN Q1 03:07 16s 4:40NAN. Alexander-WalkerNAN. Alexander-WalkerFL X3.RW.250 1437 DEN Q1 02:51 17s 4:46+2JHJ. HolidayNJN. JokićNJN. JokićDR FT FT0 17 1738 MIN Q1 02:34 9s 4:49RGR. GobertNAN. Alexander-WalkerFL TO0 939 DEN Q1 02:25 2s 4:48+2RJR. JacksonRJR. JacksonMPM. Porter Jr.STL AST M2.RM.010 2 240 MIN Q1 02:23 21s 5:10MINMIN — teamAEA. EdwardsTM X3.LW.260 1541 DEN Q1 02:02 6s 4:54+2JHJ. HolidayRJR. JacksonDR M2.RM.010 642 MIN Q1 01:56 8s 5:18+3AEA. EdwardsM2.RM.04843 DEN Q1 01:48 21s 5:15+3NJN. JokićJOJokicRJR. JacksonFL AST M3.RW.240 21 2144 MIN Q1 01:27 22s 5:40NAN. Alexander-WalkerNRN. ReidVIOL X3.RC.230 2045 DEN Q1 01:05 15s 5:30+2JHJ. HolidayMPM. Porter Jr.MPM. Porter Jr.DR FT FT0 16 1646 MIN Q1 00:49 3s 5:43KAK. AndersonNAN. Alexander-WalkerFL TO1 447 DEN Q1 00:46 14s 5:45+3JHJ. HolidayKCK. Caldwell-PopeNJN. JokićSTL AST M3.LW.251 15 1548 MIN Q1 00:32 22s 6:05+2NAN. Alexander-WalkerM2.SO.102249 DEN Q1 00:10 10s 5:55NJN. JokićDENDEN — teamX3.SO.27 OR10 10Q250 MIN Q2 12:00 22s 6:27KTK. TownsX2.RW.052051 DEN Q2 11:38 9s 6:04MPM. Porter Jr.MPM. Porter Jr.DR X3.SO.260 552 MIN Q2 11:29 9s 6:36MCM. ConleyJMJ. McDanielsDR TO0 953 DEN Q2 11:20 23s 6:27MPM. Porter Jr.AGA. GordonSTL X2.LC.130 2054 MIN Q2 10:57 4s 6:40KAK. AndersonKAK. AndersonKAK. AndersonFL DR TO0 0 455 DEN Q2 10:53 23s 6:50JMJ. MurrayX2.RW.172056 MIN Q2 10:30 9s 6:49+2MCM. ConleyMCM. ConleyKTK. TownsDR AST M2.LW.080 9 957 DEN Q2 10:21 10s 7:00AGA. GordonTO1058 MIN Q2 10:11 11s 7:00+2MCM. ConleyKAK. AndersonAST M2.RM.0111 1159 DEN Q2 10:00 17s 7:17+3AGA. GordonMPM. Porter Jr.AST M3.SO.2617 1760 MIN Q2 09:43 26s 7:26JMJ. McDanielsMINMIN — teamNAN. Alexander-WalkerX3.SO.26 OR TO19 20 2661 DEN Q2 09:17 4s 7:21+2JMJ. MurrayAGA. GordonAGA. GordonCBC. BraunFL STL AST M2.RM.020 0 4 462 MIN Q2 09:13 29s 7:55AEA. EdwardsX2.RW.222363 DEN Q2 08:44 16s 7:37+1AGA. GordonCBC. BraunMPM. Porter Jr.MPM. Porter Jr.FL DR FT X10 0 15 1564 MIN Q2 08:28 23s 8:18KAK. AndersonRGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsFL DR X2.SO.060 0 2165 DEN Q2 08:05 16s 7:53MPM. Porter Jr.NJN. JokićDENDEN — teamNJN. JokićDR X2.SO.05 OR TO0 16 16 1666 MIN Q2 07:49 17s 8:35+1KTK. TownsKTK. TownsFT X115 1567 DEN Q2 07:32 15s 8:08PWP. WatsonCBC. BraunJMJ. MurrayFL DR X2.SO.060 0 1368 MIN Q2 07:17 13s 8:48KTK. TownsKTK. TownsDR X2.LW.190 869 DEN Q2 07:04 13s 8:21+2PWP. WatsonNJN. JokićDR M2.RM.040 1370 MIN Q2 06:51 23s 9:11RGR. GobertX2.RW.122171 DEN Q2 06:28 17s 8:38DENDEN — teamRJR. JacksonNJN. JokićTM DR X3.RW.250 0 1472 MIN Q2 06:11 12s 9:23+2AEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsDR M2.SO.100 1273 DEN Q2 05:59 19s 8:57RJR. JacksonX2.RM.021874 MIN Q2 05:40 13s 9:36JMJ. McDanielsAEA. EdwardsDR X2.SO.090 975 DEN Q2 05:27 6s 9:03+2PWP. WatsonJOJokicCBC. BraunDR AST M2.RM.010 6 676 MIN Q2 05:21 21s 9:57MCM. ConleyX2.SO.131977 DEN Q2 05:00 18s 9:21PWP. WatsonNJN. JokićDR X2.SO.100 1778 MIN Q2 04:42 13s 10:10MCM. ConleyRGR. GobertNRN. ReidFL DR TO0 0 1379 DEN Q2 04:29 20s 9:41KCK. Caldwell-PopeCBC. BraunRJR. JacksonKCK. Caldwell-PopeSTL X2.RM.02 OR X3.SO.260 5 8 1780 MIN Q2 04:09 13s 10:23AEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsNRN. ReidBLK DR X3.LW.280 0 981 DEN Q2 03:56 12s 9:53PWP. WatsonPWP. WatsonDR X2.RM.030 1082 MIN Q2 03:44 8s 10:31+2RGR. GobertNRN. ReidAEA. EdwardsBLK DR M2.RW.210 0 883 DEN Q2 03:36 23s 10:16PWP. WatsonX3.RC.242184 MIN Q2 03:13 11s 10:42AEA. EdwardsNAN. Alexander-WalkerDR X3.LC.230 885 DEN Q2 03:02 16s 10:32+3NJN. JokićJOJokicKCK. Caldwell-PopeDR AST M3.RC.240 16 1686 MIN Q2 02:46 23s 11:05+3MINMIN — teamAEA. EdwardsTM M3.LW.2619 2387 DEN Q2 02:23 20s 10:52PWP. WatsonNJN. JokićFL TO0 2088 MIN Q2 02:03 3s 11:08+2AEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsSTL M2.RM.010 389 DEN Q2 02:00 21s 11:13NJN. JokićX3.RW.262090 MIN Q2 01:39 27s 11:35MINMIN — teamJMJ. McDanielsDR X2.SO.090 2391 DEN Q2 01:12 6s 11:19+2NJN. JokićNJN. JokićDR M2.LW.050 692 MIN Q2 01:06 21s 11:56+3RGR. GobertKTK. TownsAST M3.SO.2622 2293 DEN Q2 00:44 13s 11:32+2JOJokicAGA. GordonAST M2.RM.0014 1494 MIN Q2 00:31 13s 12:09NAN. Alexander-WalkerX3.SO.261195 DEN Q2 00:18 17s 11:49+2DENDEN — teamJMJ. MurrayNJN. JokićDR AST M2.SO.111 17 1796 MIN Q2 00:02 2s 12:11KTK. TownsMINMIN — teamX3.SO.54 OR2 2Q397 MIN Q3 12:00 17s 12:28+3MCM. ConleyKTK. TownsAST M3.LW.2517 1798 DEN Q3 11:43 18s 12:07+2JOJokicAGA. GordonAST M2.RM.0118 1899 MIN Q3 11:25 14s 12:42MCM. ConleyTO14100 DEN Q3 11:11 4s 12:11+3NJN. JokićAGA. GordonMPM. Porter Jr.STL AST M3.LW.250 4 4101 MIN Q3 11:07 21s 13:03+2MCM. ConleyKTK. TownsAST M2.LC.1321 21102 DEN Q3 10:46 28s 12:39+3AGA. GordonJMJ. MurrayAST M3.RW.2528 28103 MIN Q3 10:18 19s 13:22+2MCM. ConleyKTK. TownsAST M2.RC.0419 19104 DEN Q3 09:59 12s 12:51+2AGA. GordonNJN. JokićAST M2.RM.0212 12105 MIN Q3 09:47 11s 13:33+3MCM. ConleyM2.RM.0211106 DEN Q3 09:36 26s 13:17KCK. Caldwell-PopeMPM. Porter Jr.FL X2.RW.040 24107 MIN Q3 09:10 0s 13:33+2AEA. EdwardsJMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsKTK. TownsBLK DR AST M2.RM.000 0 0 0108 DEN Q3 09:10 21s 13:38+1JMJ. MurrayMPM. Porter Jr.NJN. JokićAGA. GordonAGA. GordonAGA. GordonFL OR X2.SO.04 OR FT X10 2 19 19 19 19109 MIN Q3 08:49 21s 13:54+2RGR. GobertKTK. TownsRGR. GobertKTK. TownsFL DR AST M2.RW.080 0 21 21110 DEN Q3 08:28 7s 13:45NJN. JokićOF7111 MIN Q3 08:21 20s 14:14KTK. TownsTO20112 DEN Q3 08:01 8s 13:53+3AGA. GordonJMJ. MurrayKCK. Caldwell-PopeSTL AST M3.LC.230 8 8113 MIN Q3 07:53 26s 14:40+3MCM. ConleyM3.SO.2526114 DEN Q3 07:27 30s 14:23MPM. Porter Jr.X2.SO.1726115 MIN Q3 06:57 10s 14:50KTK. TownsKTK. TownsRGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsFL FL DR X3.LW.260 0 0 7116 DEN Q3 06:47 11s 14:34+2MPM. Porter Jr.JMJ. MurrayDR M2.RM.020 11117 MIN Q3 06:36 17s 15:07MCM. ConleyTO17118 DEN Q3 06:19 16s 14:50+2MPM. Porter Jr.DENDEN — teamNJN. JokićNJN. JokićSTL TM FT FT0 0 16 16119 MIN Q3 06:03 12s 15:19+3MCM. ConleyRGR. GobertNRN. ReidMCM. ConleyFL FL AST M3.LW.250 0 12 12120 DEN Q3 05:51 22s 15:12JMJ. MurrayTO22121 MIN Q3 05:29 5s 15:24+2MCM. ConleyMCM. ConleyNRN. ReidSTL AST M2.RM.010 5 5122 DEN Q3 05:24 19s 15:31+2JMJ. MurrayM2.SO.1419123 MIN Q3 05:05 23s 15:47+2NRN. ReidMCM. ConleyAST M2.RM.0223 23124 DEN Q3 04:42 19s 15:50JMJ. MurrayX2.LW.1818125 MIN Q3 04:23 12s 15:59MCM. ConleyMINMIN — teamNRN. ReidDR TM TO0 2 12126 DEN Q3 04:11 18s 16:08+3JOJokicJHJ. HolidayAST M3.LW.2618 18127 MIN Q3 03:53 38s 16:37+2AEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsKAK. AndersonAEA. EdwardsX2.RW.09 OR AST M2.RW.1728 29 38 38128 DEN Q3 03:15 22s 16:30RJR. JacksonNJN. JokićFL TO0 22129 MIN Q3 02:53 12s 16:49+2NRN. ReidAEA. EdwardsSTL M2.SO.150 12130 DEN Q3 02:41 20s 16:50KCK. Caldwell-PopeJHJ. HolidayFL X3.LC.230 18131 MIN Q3 02:21 8s 16:57+3NRN. ReidAEA. EdwardsNAN. Alexander-WalkerDR AST M3.LC.230 8 8132 DEN Q3 02:13 14s 17:04+1MPM. Porter Jr.DENDEN — teamMPM. Porter Jr.X1 OR FT14 14 14133 MIN Q3 01:59 22s 17:19KAK. AndersonAEA. EdwardsFL X3.LC.230 19134 DEN Q3 01:37 8s 17:12NJN. JokićCBC. BraunDR X2.RM.030 6135 MIN Q3 01:29 14s 17:33+2KAK. AndersonAEA. EdwardsDR M2.RM.000 14136 DEN Q3 01:15 15s 17:27+2NJN. JokićNJN. JokićFT M2.RM.020 16137 MIN Q3 00:59 20s 17:54AEA. EdwardsMMM. MorrisFL X3.RW.250 17138 DEN Q3 00:39 14s 17:42MPM. Porter Jr.MPM. Porter Jr.DR X3.LW.250 12139 MIN Q3 00:24 24s 18:17AEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsDR X2.LW.151 24140 DEN Q3 00:01 1s 17:43MPM. Porter Jr.RJR. JacksonVIOL DR0 0Q4141 DEN Q4 12:00 15s 17:58MPM. Porter Jr.X3.SO.2612142 MIN Q4 11:45 24s 18:41MCM. ConleyKTK. TownsDR X2.LW.070 22143 DEN Q4 11:21 8s 18:06+2JMJ. MurrayJMJ. MurrayJMJ. MurrayDR FT FT0 8 8144 MIN Q4 11:13 19s 19:00+2NAN. Alexander-WalkerMCM. ConleyNRN. ReidFL AST M2.LW.040 19 19145 DEN Q4 10:54 31s 18:37JMJ. MurrayX2.LW.1227146 MIN Q4 10:23 24s 19:24KTK. TownsJMJ. McDanielsDR X2.RC.050 21147 DEN Q4 09:59 16s 18:53+2MPM. Porter Jr.JHJ. HolidayJMJ. MurrayBLK DR M2.LW.040 0 16148 MIN Q4 09:43 15s 19:39+2MCM. ConleyNRN. ReidFL M2.SO.050 15149 DEN Q4 09:28 15s 19:08+2MPM. Porter Jr.AGA. GordonAST M2.RM.0115 15150 MIN Q4 09:13 24s 20:03+3KTK. TownsJMJ. McDanielsNRN. ReidMCM. ConleyFL OR AST M3.LC.230 2 24 24151 DEN Q4 08:49 14s 19:22+4JMJ. MurrayM3.LW.2614152 MIN Q4 08:35 20s 20:23KTK. TownsNRN. ReidFL X2.SO.050 18153 DEN Q4 08:15 12s 19:34NJN. JokićJMJ. MurrayDR X2.RW.150 9154 MIN Q4 08:03 18s 20:41+2NRN. ReidAEA. EdwardsDR M2.RM.020 18155 DEN Q4 07:45 2s 19:36NJN. JokićTO2156 MIN Q4 07:43 20s 21:01+2AEA. EdwardsM2.RW.1820157 DEN Q4 07:23 27s 20:03NJN. JokićX3.SO.2626158 MIN Q4 06:56 18s 21:19MINMIN — teamNAN. Alexander-WalkerDR X3.SO.240 14159 DEN Q4 06:38 14s 20:17+3DENDEN — teamNJN. JokićJMJ. MurrayCBC. BraunTM DR AST M3.LC.230 0 14 14160 MIN Q4 06:24 28s 21:47+3AEA. EdwardsNRN. ReidAST M3.RW.2728 28161 DEN Q4 05:56 19s 20:36KCK. Caldwell-PopeX3.LW.2512162 MIN Q4 05:37 8s 21:55+2AEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsNRN. ReidNRN. ReidDR X3.SO.25 OR M20 1 8 8163 DEN Q4 05:29 14s 20:50+2KCK. Caldwell-PopeNJN. JokićAST M2.RM.0314 14164 MIN Q4 05:15 18s 22:13+2AEA. EdwardsNRN. ReidAST M2.RM.0218 18165 DEN Q4 04:57 15s 21:05+2AGA. GordonAGA. GordonJOJokicJMJ. MurrayFL OR AST M2.LW.100 3 15 15166 MIN Q4 04:42 22s 22:35+3MINMIN — teamMCM. ConleyNRN. ReidTM AST M3.LW.2610 22 22167 DEN Q4 04:20 28s 21:33NJN. JokićNJN. JokićFL X2.SO.050 28168 MIN Q4 03:52 14s 22:49RGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsDR TO0 14169 DEN Q4 03:38 7s 21:40+3NJN. JokićNJN. JokićSTL M2.RM.040 7170 MIN Q4 03:31 18s 23:07+2RGR. GobertMINMIN — teamRGR. GobertRGR. GobertRGR. GobertFL TM X2.SO.05 OR M20 0 15 18 18171 DEN Q4 03:13 15s 21:55NJN. JokićTO15172 MIN Q4 02:58 4s 23:11+2RGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsSTL FT FT0 4 4173 DEN Q4 02:54 18s 22:13JMJ. MurrayNJN. JokićFL X3.SO.250 16174 MIN Q4 02:36 21s 23:32+2RGR. GobertKTK. TownsRGR. GobertDR AST M2.LW.130 21 21175 DEN Q4 02:15 16s 22:29MPM. Porter Jr.OF16176 MIN Q4 01:59 23s 23:55+2AEA. EdwardsM2.LC.1423177 DEN Q4 01:36 11s 22:40+2DENDEN — teamNJN. JokićNJN. JokićNJN. JokićTM X3.SO.28 OR M2.SO.040 8 11 11178 MIN Q4 01:25 11s 24:06RGR. GobertMCM. ConleyBLK TO0 11179 DEN Q4 01:14 12s 22:52+3KCK. Caldwell-PopeAGA. GordonNJN. JokićSTL AST M3.SO.270 12 12180 MIN Q4 01:02 23s 24:30+2AEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsFT FT24 24181 DEN Q4 00:38 4s 22:56+3NJN. JokićAGA. GordonDENDEN — teamJOJokicMPM. Porter Jr.FL FL TM AST M3.RW.260 1 1 5 5182 MIN Q4 00:34 7s 24:37+2AEA. EdwardsM2.RM.028183 DEN Q4 00:27 7s 23:02AGA. GordonX3.RW.256184 MIN Q4 00:21 21s 24:58RGR. GobertDR0
Edwards scores 43 points, Reid erupts in 4th to help Timberwolves beat Nuggets 106-99 in Game 1
DENVER -- — Anthony Edwards ' decision-making was as spot-on as his shot-making.
When he drew a crowd, he passed. When he was open, he shot — and usually swished.
Edwards scored a playoff career-high — and franchise postseason-record — 43 points, Naz Reid had 14 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets 106-99 in Game 1 of the second-round series Saturday night.
Edwards was unstoppable in the first half, scoring 25 points, and Reid took over in the fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns had 20 points despite dealing with foul trouble. The Timberwolves shot a blistering 71.1% from the floor in the second half.
“The whole team, we trust each other,” said Edwards , who was 17 of 29 from the floor as he posted his third career playoff game with 40 or more points. “It doesn't matter down the stretch who takes the shot.”
All part of Edwards' evolution on the court.
“I’m proud of the way he’s accepted the kind of growth he needed to have to be where he is,” said Conley, who finished with 14 points and 10 assists. “It’s not easy for a 22-, 23-year-old to make that adjustment so quickly.”
“Twenty-two,” Edwards playfully chimed in.
Game 2 is Monday night in Denver.
Three days after undergoing knee surgery, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was on the bench in the second row, next to the scorer’s table and behind assistant coach Micah Nori, who did the instructing, roaming and switching. Finch ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee last week when Wolves point guard Mike Conley collided with him late in Minnesota’s Round 1 clincher at Phoenix.
“All the plays we scored on were my calls and the ones that we didn't were his,” cracked Nori. “(Finch) was great. He was like, ‘We don’t want to make it clunky,' is the term he used. We did a good job of that.”
Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists for Denver, but also had seven turnovers. Jamal Murray scored 17 points after being held scoreless in the first half. Murray, the hero for the Nuggets in Round 1 with a pair of game-winners that allowed Denver to eliminate the Lakers in five games, finished 6 of 14 from the floor.
“We need to do a better job of making them make tough shots, maybe make the extra pass," Jokic said.
Tied at 84, the Timberwolves went on an 18-7 run to break it open. Reid had 10 straight points for the Timberwolves at one point during the pivotal stretch. Reid was the beneficiary of the Nuggets making sure Edwards was constantly covered.
“When (Edwards) draws three people, he makes the right play all the time,” Reid said. “I've seen him grow from Day 1 to where he is — a superstar in the making, if he's not now.”
Last year, the Wolves were a tough first-round opponent for Denver despite being without Reid (broken wrist) and Jaden McDaniels (broken hand) and with Towns coming off a severe calf strain that had cost him 52 games. This time, not a single Timberwolves player was listed on the injury report.
“Going against the best player in the world is always fun,” Edwards said about facing Jokic. “Going against the best team in the world is always fun.”
Aside from being healthier, the Timberwolves were much better thanks to the dramatic improvement in Edwards' game, Denver coach Michael Malone suggested.
“There's no weaknesses in his game,” Malone said. "And it's going to be a hell of a challenge trying to slow him down."
Especially when he has so much help.
“Naz Reid got going. Karl-Anthony Towns got going. Mike Conley got going — where Anthony Edwards carried the day in that first half,” Malone said. “But the second half I just felt not nearly enough discipline and physicality and they were able to get whatever they wanted.”