Tempers Boil Over as Timberwolves Push Nuggets to the Brink
The Minnesota Timberwolves are now one step away from closing out their first-round playoff series after a heated finish overshadowed their 112-96 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4.
What should have been a routine ending instead escalated when Jaden McDaniels drove in for a late, uncontested lay-up with just 1.3 seconds left, catching Denver players off guard as they expected the clock to run out.
The decision didn’t sit well with Nikola Jokic, who charged in from mid-court and shoved McDaniels, triggering a brief courtside confrontation.
The fallout saw Jokic and Julius Randle both ejected, adding another layer of tension to a series that has steadily grown more personal with each game.
Minnesota head coach David Adelman made his feelings clear after the game. “The game was over. The game was conceded. In 2026, that stuff just doesn’t happen any more.” His frustration pointed less at the result and more at what he viewed as a violation of unwritten basketball etiquette.
McDaniels, unfazed by the backlash, brushed off the incident in blunt fashion. “I just seen someone who was big as hell.” That response fits the tone he has set throughout the series, having already labeled Denver’s defense as weak earlier on.
Lost in the chaos was a dominant performance from Ayo Dosunmu, who erupted for a career-high 43 points to lead Minnesota to their third straight win.
Jokic, meanwhile, delivered a near triple-double with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, but his influence faded as the game and emotions slipped away late.
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