Nuggets Suffer Historic Defeat
In Game 6, the Denver Nuggets faced the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road, seeking to close out the series. However, their shooting percentage plummeted to 30.2%, hitting only 7 of 36 three-pointers. At one point, they trailed by 50 points and ultimately lost by a 45-point margin, 70-115, marking the worst playoff defeat in franchise history. This loss forced them into a Game 7, making it the third consecutive year that the NBA defending champions have played a Game 7. Post-game, Nikola Jokic couldn’t help but laugh during the interview.
Nuggets Close to Historical Feat
The Nuggets are one win away from becoming the sixth team in history to lose the first two home games in a best-of-seven series and still advance. Riding a three-game winning streak, Denver arrived in Minnesota with high hopes but quickly fell apart after a 9-2 opening run, with the team’s shooting dropping to 30%. Jamal Murray struggled, hitting only 4 of his 18 shots.
Historic Loss in the Fourth Quarter
The Nuggets found themselves trailing by 50 points in the fourth quarter, and their 45-point defeat set a new franchise playoff record, breaking the previous 40-point loss to the Spurs on May 4, 1983. Game 7 is scheduled for the 19th. The Timberwolves last played a Game 7 twenty years ago, defeating the Kings 83-80. Denver has participated in seven Game 7s, most recently in 2020, when they beat the Clippers 104-89 in the bubble.
Third Straight Year for Defending Champions
This marks the third consecutive season where the defending champions have been pushed to a Game 7. In 2023, the Warriors eliminated the Kings, and in 2022, the Bucks were defeated by the Celtics. Historically, defending champions have a 33-13 record in Game 7s, boasting a 71.7% win rate.
Jokic’s Honest Assessment
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic admitted that the Timberwolves outplayed them in every aspect, saying, “The opponent performed better than us in every facet of the game. We must accept the reality of losing by 45 points, which is not a daily occurrence. We need to learn from this loss.”
Jokic Remains Positive
Despite the devastating defeat, Jokic remained in good spirits, telling reporters with a smile, “In fact, we did lead 9-2 at the start, didn’t we? The Timberwolves didn’t look so good during that stretch, you know?”
Looking Ahead to Game 7
The Nuggets must quickly regroup and prepare for the decisive Game 7. Jokic’s lighthearted attitude suggests confidence, but the team will need a strong performance to advance and defend their title. (Panalo999)