The Denver Nuggets easily got past the Los Angeles Lakers in the previous round. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the team to yet another playoff series win against the 17x NBA champs, but they have been hit with their first hurdle for the first time in a while. The Minnesota Timberwolves swept the mighty Phoenix Suns, even against their healthy big three. That is a sign for the Nuggets, that the Wolves mean business this year.
Anthony Edwards and Co. just won Game 1 vs the Nuggets at the Ball Arena. The Wolves just came to the Nuggets’ arena and outperformed the defending champs. Ant-Man was the star of the night with 43 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns was also decent for the away team, scoring 20 points. Nikola Jokic’s 32-point game went in vain as the Timberwolves looked much more tightly knit on offense and defense.
One of the main differences between the two sides was the big men that the Wolves had at their disposal. KAT, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid were all on point for the team. Wolves had these three players constantly rotating and made sure that the Nuggets had no rest in guarding the paint. After the game, Joker spoke about how efficient the big men were. He was asked about how the Nuggets could go into Game 2 and how they could plan their defense.
Jokic said, “Have a duplicate clone of myself. And then I can be fresh when they sub another guy. I don’t know my friend. I think that’s why they’re good, they can play big, they can play small, they can put a lot of guys, they’re long, physical, they rebound really well, they’re aggressive.” As Jokic mentions, the Wolves roster’s versatility will be a nightmare for the Nuggets. Jokic is the only big man on the roster, and he would have to play often if the Nuggets want to have a chance of defending.
Nikola Jokic heaps praise on Anthony Edwards after Wolves star’s sensational performance
Ant is currently the face of the Timberwolves franchise, and he has been living up to the hype as well. He averaged 31 points and 8 rebounds in the 4-0 series win against the Suns, that includes keeping his idol and role model Kevin Durant at bay as well. Edwards was showing glimpses of his abilities over the last few years, but it looks like this year is the time he finally displays his entire skillset.
Jokic had nothing but praise for the young star. He said, “Of course, he’s a special player, I have respect for him. He can do everything on the floor, you need to enjoy and respect your opponent, just how good and how talented he is. But it was him in the first half, he scored like 20 something.”
One of Edwards’ strengths is explosiveness. The player could be having a quiet game in one quarter, and he could go hot within a matter of minutes in the next. That would be something the Nuggets would have to be careful of.
A playoff week to forget for the Denver Nuggets star
Jokic has been having a tough time with turnovers in the last week. The Serbian has made 14 turnovers in the last two games, averaging 7 per game. One of this came against the Los Angeles Lakers, but the turnovers did not cost the Nuggets, thanks to Jamal Murray’s sensational game-winner.
Nikola Jokic is averaging 7 turnovers per game over the last two playoff games. pic.twitter.com/Wm1FNhxOhi
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 5, 2024
The Nuggets will be looking to bounce back stronger in Game 2, and we can expect Jokic and Murray to lead the charge once again. The Nuggets will have to work on keeping the Wolves’ big men at bay, as Edwards looks to be unstoppable at this point.