No Rudy Gobert, no problem for this hard-nosed Minnesota Timberwolves squad.
Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony-Towns combined for 54 points and the Gobert-less Timberwolves put up a masterful defensive clinic for a 106-80 demolition over the defending champion Nuggets, seizing a 2-0 West semifinal series lead.
The league's top-ranked defense just put on an absolute CLINIC in Denver.
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2024
🔒 11 STL
🔒 12 BLK
🔒 34.9 OPP FG%@Timberwolves go up 2-0! pic.twitter.com/8ijLOs8yyX
Edwards tallied 27 markers, his third straight 25+ point game this postseason after exploding for a 43-point Game 1 win, including this tough turnaround jumper over two defenders midway through the third frame.
"Bumping, shoving, spinning, firing, doubled..."
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2024
It doesn't matter to Ant Edwards 🤯
📺 Game 2 on TNT pic.twitter.com/jBa2dFrA8M
Towns scored 20 of his 27 points in the first half for Minnesota, who led by as many as 32 points en route to their first West semis 2-0 series lead in franchise history.
Minnesota used a riveting 33-15 second quarter with their swarming defense for a commanding 61-35 halftime lead.KAT is up to 16... 16-3 Wolves run!#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on TNT pic.twitter.com/QxoHxRpIRy
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2024
This Timberwolves defense is LOCKED IN.
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2024
Absolute clinic in Game 2 on TNT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FnKgublwuj
DEFENSE ?? OFFENSE
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 7, 2024
🐜 🐜 🐜 🐜 🐜 🐜 🐜 pic.twitter.com/hGPWRbXQwZ
Even without their main defensive anchor, the Timberwolves shredded the Nuggets into pieces all-game long, getting a 11-6 and 12-5 advantages in total steals and blocks and led by as many as 32 points.
Gobert was out as his first child was born today.
Rudy Gobert (personal reasons) is OUT for Game 2 tonight vs. Nuggets
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 7, 2024
Gobert had his first born earlier today pic.twitter.com/uA0kVcZtiH
Minnesota though forced 18 Nuggets turnovers and converted to 19 points and just manhandle Denver on defense.
Reigning Sixth Man of the Year awardee Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker collected both chipped in 14 markers.
Game 3 of the series will now shift to Minneapolis on Saturday (PH time).
Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon top scored the Nuggets with 20 points with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic adding 16 markers, 16 boards and eight dimes.
Jamal Murray struggled heavily with just eight markers but grabbed a playoff-high 13 rebounds for Denver, who fell to a 0-2 hole for the first time since the 2022 playoffs.
The defending champs blazed through the playoffs last year, never trailing in a series and dropping only four games on their way to the title.
Well, things are different this season.
Denver scored a season low in points and had their biggest halftime deficit in franchise history, and shot just 39 percent from the field including a measly 30 clip beyond the arc.
