The time is now for Minnesota?
In a historic Game 7 comeback, the Timberwolves send the now-dethroned NBA Champion Denver Nuggets packing, scoring a sensational 98-90 Game 7 road win Monday (PHL)
Down by 20 points early in the third quarter, Minnesota the best comeback in NBA Game 7 history, making the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years.
The Timberwolves erased a TWENTY-POINT 2nd half deficit in Game 7 to advance to their first Western Conference Finals since 2004!
— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2024
This 20-point comeback is the LARGEST in Game 7 history in the play-by-play era (1997-1998). pic.twitter.com/kfOYTs5qt2
The Timberwolves’ 20-point comeback breaks the previous record of 18, set by the Cleveland Cavaliers in their own Game 7 against the Orlando Magic earlier in these Playoffs.
Minnesota also kept its unique distinction as the only NBA team to be undefeated in Game 7s.
Granted, the Wolves only played in two, but as if fate would have it, Minnesota’s second Game 7 win comes 20 years on the day of its first. In 2004, MVP Kevin Garnett led the team to a Game 7 win over Sacramento to also make the West Finals.
All five starters scored in double figures for Minnesota, led by 23 apiece from Jaden McDaniels and Karl-Anthony Towns.
MASSIVE SEQUENCE. pic.twitter.com/YK0FEQqKr6
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 20, 2024
Despite shooting just 6/24 from the floor, Anthony Edwards was good for 16 points, including the booming three that put Minnesota up 10 with three minutes to go.
In a desperate final effort, the Nuggets cut the deficit in half, but Towns sealed the deal with a putback slam for a 95-88 lead with 41.7 seconds remaining.
THE EXCLAMATION POINT. pic.twitter.com/4Hk1xvCmX5
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 20, 2024
Denver got 35 points from Jamal Murray, 24 in the first half as the Nuggets race to a 15-point lea at the break. Nikola Jokic added 34 points and 19 rebounds.
When Denver won last year’s championship, the Nuggets became the fifth champion in five years. As they get eliminated this postseason, they’re also the fifth defending champion to not make it back to at least the conference Finals.
