In a Western Conference Semifinal series that had the intensity of a heavyweight title fight, the Denver Nuggets were stunned, outlasted, and ultimately eliminated by the surging Minnesota Timberwolves in a dramatic seven-game showdown. The series finale—played in a raucous Ball Arena—was everything fans hoped for… unless you were wearing powder blue and gold.
The Final Blow
Game 7 was a war of attrition. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota’s electrifying young star, dropped jaws and buckets en route to a scintillating 38-point performance, including a dagger three with under a minute left that silenced the Denver faithful. Karl-Anthony Towns finally found his rhythm, bullying the boards and spacing the floor with clutch midrange jumpers.
But perhaps the most jarring sight of all? Reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokić walking off the court, towel over his head, after a triple-double that simply wasn’t enough.
Passing of the Torch?
The Timberwolves didn’t just win—they arrived. After years of being league afterthoughts, Minnesota is now playing with swagger, chemistry, and a hunger that has become undeniable. Edwards is blossoming into a full-blown superstar, and the Timberwolves’ defense—which once seemed laughable—has morphed into a nightmare for opposing offenses.
Denver, on the other hand, looked mortal. Despite Jokic’s brilliance (28 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists), Jamal Murray struggled under suffocating pressure, and the Nuggets’ bench was thoroughly outplayed. Michael Porter Jr. had flashes of brilliance but went ice-cold when it mattered most.
A New Era Dawns?
This series felt like more than just a playoff matchup—it felt like a seismic shift in the West. Denver, the 2023 champions and perennial juggernauts, were supposed to cruise. Instead, they’ve crashed—shocked by a younger, hungrier squad that just might be next in line for the throne.
Coach Michael Malone summed it up best in the post-game presser: “We got outplayed. We got out-toughed. And now we’re going home.
