Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Game Players Stats and Box Scores for May 16 | 2024 NBA Playoffs Game 6
The Denver Nuggets are back in the Minnesota Timberwolves' lair for what might be a series-clinching game for them on Thursday. Denver, which is 2-0 in Minnesota, hoped to make it a sweep of away games to advance to the conference finals. Tonight’s stage was set after the Nuggets overwhelmed the Timberwolves 112-97 two nights ago in Mile High City.
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves game players stats and box scores
Denver Nuggets game player stats and box scores
Minnesota Timberwolves game player stats and box scores
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Game Summary
The Denver Nuggets came out of the gate having the same form that catapulted them to a rout of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5. They quickly had a 9-2 lead forcing the hosts to a quick timeout. Unlike the previous encounter, the Timberwolves responded and dropped a crippling 20-0 run.
Minnesota's jittery nerves vanished as its shots started going in. From out of nowhere the defending champs were reeling and trailed 31-14 after the first 12 minutes ended.
The Nuggets showed a much bigger fight in the second quarter, nearly doubling their first-period output in points. Nikola Jokic continued to cause problems for the Timberwolves, but Jamal Murray went 1-for-10 and finished with two points.
Anthony Edwards already had 19 points as Denver's defense couldn't blitz him like it did in Game 5. Mike Conley's return eased up the pressure and Jaden McDaniel's 13 first-half points were big reasons the Timberwolves were ahead 59-49 at halftime.
The Denver Nuggets had a handful of mini-runs in the third quarter but the Minnesota Timberwolves never failed to respond. Mike Conley's step-back, 27-footer made it 57-86 before Nikola Jokic's late surge ended the third quarter 86-61.
Nuggets coach Mike Malone probably wanted one big run to start the fourth quarter and decide how to rotate his players. Rudy Gobert's point-blank layup made it 93-63 which was the cue Malone had been waiting for. The champion coach called a timeout and then emptied his bench with still 9:52 to go.
With Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., and Jamal Murray done for the night, the Minnesota Timberwolves piled on the Denver Nuggets' misery. After the merciless beatdown, the Wolves won their first home game versus Denver in the series to tie the series 3-3.
Thursday's 115-70 massacre will bring the series back to Denver where the defending champs could get their payback. Or, the Timberwolves could dethrone the 2023 champs on the road.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic's 3-pointers tonight
Karl-Anthony Towns missed all four of his first half's attempts from behind the arc. Anthony Edwards' scorching-hot start featured a 3-for-5 clip from the same range.
Like Towns, Nikola Jokic couldn't buy a basket from that distance, missing all three of his attempts. Jamal Murray was in the same boat as well, putting up the same line as "The Joker."
"KAT" didn't attempt another deep shot in the second quarter but "Ant-Man" finished with a 4-for-9 line.
Jokic and Murray's forgettable night ended, making just 2-for-11 attempts from rainbow distance.