The Minnesota Timberwolves ended the Denver Nuggets’ title defense in Game 7, winning 98-90 to advance to the Western Conference finals.
Anthony Edwards overcame a slow start and led the Timberwolves back from a 20-point second-half deficit.
Minnesota’s comeback from a 15-point halftime deficit is the largest in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history.
Edwards had just four points, no rebounds, and three assists at halftime but finished with 16 points, eight boards, and seven assists.
Despite shooting 6-of-24, Edwards’ defense on Jamal Murray was crucial in the Timberwolves’ victory.
Murray had 24 points by halftime and finished with 35, but Edwards repeatedly denied him in the second half.
The Timberwolves, with 23 points each from Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels, reached the conference finals for the first time in 20 years.
Minnesota will face the Dallas Mavericks starting Wednesday night at Target Center.
The Nuggets led 53-38 at halftime behind Murray’s strong start, but Minnesota’s defense brought them back into the game.
The Timberwolves closed the third quarter on a 28-9 run, pulling to 67-66 heading into the fourth.
Rudy Gobert gave Minnesota their first lead since the first quarter with a bucket to start the fourth.
Naz Reid, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, was crucial in the final stretch, maintaining Minnesota’s lead.
Reid scored two free throws and a dunk before assisting Edwards for a decisive 3-pointer, putting the Wolves ahead 92-82 with three minutes left.
Nikola Jokic’s 34 points and 19 rebounds weren’t enough as no other Denver players scored in double figures, highlighting the lack of support for Murray and Jokic.
The Nuggets, in their fifth Game 7 in six seasons, failed to reach the conference finals, becoming the fifth consecutive defending champion to fall short.
