Minnesota Timberwolves drives as Nikola Jokic (15) and Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets press during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 14 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)” bad-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/olIPHGdOMZ2IF8HcCtRlfw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY5Nw–/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-05/69e52be0-160c-11ef-83ff-f2b2bbdf6535″ src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/olIPHGdOMZ2IF8HcCtRlfw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY5Nw–/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-05/69e52be0-160c-11ef-83ff-f2b2bbdf6535″>Will the Timberwolves’ vibes carry them to the next round? Or will the Nuggets’ experience be the deciding factor in Game 7? (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
This Game 7 between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets could be historic. Not only is it the deciding game in a closely contested series between two incredibly talented teams, but the stories surrounding this matchup have made it even more compelling.
The Nuggets are a machine. This is the sixth consecutive year they have made the playoffs and are the defending champions. The duo of Jamal Murray and three-time MVP Nikola Jokić is nearly unstoppable. As a franchise, they are 4-3 in Game 7, but this core group of players is 3-1. They have the experience and the talent.
But don’t look now, the Timberwolves are coming. They have made the playoffs three years in a row. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are gaining ground. The vibrations are impeccable. They even made Rudy Gobert nice!
That alone may not be enough to overcome the Nuggets, but the Timberwolves have something else on their side for Game 7: history. Sunday is the 20th anniversary of Minnesota’s 83-80 Game 7 victory over the Sacramento Kings in the second round, in which birthday boy Kevin Garnett scored 32 points with 21 rebounds, five blocks and four steals.
Will a Timberwolves player put together a KG-style performance that will elevate them over the Nuggets? Or will the experience of Jokić and company end Minnesota’s streak? Follow all the action from Game 7 below.
Live13 Updates
- Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:54 pm MST
Antonio Edwards: 2 points
Jamal Murray: 20 points— Michael Pina (@MichaelVPina) May 20, 2024
- Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:39 pm MST
- Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:38 pm MST
Denver settles in
The Nuggets are starting to shore up their defense against Edwards. He’s fainting, but Gobert and company aren’t responding. 33% shooting for MIN, and the Nuggets are on their first big lead, with a 30-19 lead.
- Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:33 pm MST
Based on reactions from the bench and some of the players on the court, I don’t think Minnesota is providing help from where they want on Jokic’s post-ups. They keep duplicating it with the guy one step away. That’s creating some easy passes for shots for Denver.
—Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 20, 2024
- Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:28 pm MST
It appears Minnesota is trying to put Murray over Edwards in trades. Denver is making a double change as the Wolves get into action. He’s keeping Murray away from Edwards. The wolves may need to hold the screen for a while longer. That will mean getting into his things a little…
—Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 20, 2024
- Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:27 pm MST
Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:26 pm MST
Jamal Murray looks good
A great sign for the Nuggets, Jamal Murray is active and aggressive after the two-day break. He’s been a barometer for them in this series. He only averages 10 points in losses, almost 20 in wins.
- Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:15 pm MST
The Nuggets once again generated a lot of open looks and once again didn’t knock them down. The execution looks very different when the shots just fall.
—Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) May 20, 2024
- Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:15 pm MST
Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:14 pm MST
Slow start to Game 7 of the West
Very early nerves in the opening minutes of Game 7, as it should be…except for that Edwards kid.
- Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:05 pm MST
- Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:02 pm MST
- Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 5:01 pm MST
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