In Pictures: Anthony Edwards and co. hit the gym straight after historic Game 7 win to clinch West Finals
The Minnesota Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, mounted a remarkable comeback to surprise the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, securing a 98-90 victory in Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Ball Arena on Sunday night. They dominated the Nuggets in the second half, outscoring them 60-37 to complete a dramatic 30-point turnaround.
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets appeared primed to swiftly conclude the series on Sunday night, but Edwards and co. had other ideas.
Following the game, Minnesota Timberwolves' official 'X' account tweeted pictures of their core, Ant-man, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels, in the gym to get extra work done after the game.
With the Nuggets having established a commanding 20-point advantage in the second half and effectively containing Timberwolves standout Anthony Edwards, the outcome seemed all but certain.
However, despite a largely lackluster offensive performance in the initial 24 minutes, the Timberwolves managed to orchestrate the most significant halftime comeback in a Game 7 in NBA history.
How Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied back to win Game 7
Following a sluggish and defensively focused outset to the game, where both teams collectively managed only a 6-of-24 shooting performance to kick off the evening, the Nuggets found their stride just before halftime.
Embarking on an 18-3 scoring surge spanning the conclusion of the first period and the outset of the second, they seized complete command of the contest.
During this stretch, they stifled the Timberwolves' offense, denying them a field goal for over five consecutive minutes. They maintained the shutout for the final two minutes of the half, establishing a commanding 15-point advantage heading into the break.
Yet, despite their offensive struggles for the majority of the game, the Timberwolves experienced a resurgence in the third quarter. Trailing by a daunting 20-point margin, they orchestrated a remarkable 19-3 scoring spree while also keeping the Nuggets at bay without a field goal for over six consecutive minutes.
Denver's offense faltered down the stretch, missing 13 of its last 16 shot attempts to conclude the third quarter.
Anthony Edwards, notwithstanding a challenging shooting performance earlier in the game, showcased his resilience by sinking a difficult step-back 3-pointer over Aaron Gordon, narrowing the deficit to a mere single point as the period drew to a close. This capped off an impressive 28-9 scoring surge by the Timberwolves.
Naz Reid delivered a standout performance to seal the victory. In the closing minutes, he showcased his athleticism with an astonishing put-back dunk over Nikola Jokic, extending the Timberwolves' lead to seven points.
Shortly after, Reid facilitated a fast-break opportunity for Anthony Edwards, who drained a crucial 3-pointer. In the blink of an eye, the Timberwolves orchestrated a remarkable 30-point turnaround, firmly asserting their dominance and seizing control of the game.