Think up trailing by 20 points in a winner-takes-all Game 7—and then clawing back to make NBA history. That’s exactly what the Minnesota Timberwolves did in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals, toppling the Denver Nuggets 98–90 in a game that rewrote the record books. But how? Let’s unpack the timberwolves vs denver nuggets match player stats and the hidden turning points that flipped this game on its head.
The Game That Defied Odds: A 20-Point Miracle
The Timberwolves’ comeback wasn’t just about grit; it was a masterclass in adaptation. Down 50–30 in the second quarter, Minnesota’s defense morphed into a steel trap, holding Denver to just 40 points in the second half. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels became twin flames, each dropping 23 points with surgical precision. But the real story? Anthony Edwards’ off-night heroics: 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists—proving stats don’t always tell the full tale.
Timberwolves’ Key Players: The Unsung Heroes
Karl-Anthony Towns & Jaden McDaniels: The 23-Point Duo
- Towns: 23 pts, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks | 50% FG
- McDaniels: 23 pts, 6 rebounds, 2 steals | 4/7 from three
While Towns bullied the paint, McDaniels became Minnesota’s silent assassin, draining threes like he was playing pickup at the YMCA. Together, they outscored Denver’s bench by themselves.
Anthony Edwards: The Struggling Maestro
Edwards shot just 6/24 from the field—yet dominated everywhere else. His 8 rebounds and 7 assists kept Minnesota’s engine humming, like a quarterback scrambling to extend a broken play. “Stats lie,” Coach Chris Finch said postgame. “Ant was our glue.”
Nuggets’ Standouts: A Two-Man Show That Fizzled
Nikola Jokić: The Lone Titan
- 34 points, 19 rebounds, 7 assists
Jokić played like a man possessed, nearly notching a 30-20-5 stat line—a feat last seen in the 1960s. But even his wizardry couldn’t mask Denver’s fatal flaw: no third option.
Jamal Murray: The Flamethrower
- 35 points, 5 threes, 4 assists
Murray’s third-quarter explosion (18 points) felt like a knockout punch… until it wasn’t. By the fourth, he was gassed, shooting 2/9 as Minnesota’s defenders swarmed like bees.
Defensive Adjustments: Minnesota’s Secret Sauce
Down 20, the Timberwolves switched to a junk defense—double-teaming Jokić with rotating wings and daring Denver’s role players to beat them. Spoiler: They couldn’t.
| Denver’s Non-Stars | Points | FG% |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Porter Jr. | 7 | 25% |
| Aaron Gordon | 4 | 18% |
| Bench Total | 6 | 15% |
Minnesota’s gamble paid off. “We bet on their role players freezing,” said Rudy Gobert. “And they did.”
Head-to-Head: Team Stats That Tell the Tale
| Stat | Timberwolves | Nuggets |
|---|---|---|
| Points in the Paint | 44 | 38 |
| Fastbreak Points | 18 | 6 |
| Bench Points | 29 | 6 |
| Turnovers Forced | 14 | 9 |
The Timberwolves won the hustle battle: more steals, faster breaks, and a bench that outscored Denver’s by 23.
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Individual Player Stats: The Cold, Hard Numbers
Minnesota’s Leaders
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 23 | 12 | 2 | 50% | +14 |
| Jaden McDaniels | 23 | 6 | 1 | 58% | +12 |
| Anthony Edwards | 16 | 8 | 7 | 25% | +9 |
Denver’s Leaders
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokić | 34 | 19 | 7 | 54% | -5 |
| Jamal Murray | 35 | 3 | 4 | 48% | -8 |
The Legacy: Why This Game Matters
This wasn’t just a comeback; it was a blueprint. The Timberwolves proved that depth trumps star power when pressure peaks. For Denver, it’s a wake-up call: even a two-time MVP can’t win alone.
FAQs:
- Why is this the largest Game 7 comeback ever?
No team had ever erased a 20-point deficit in a Game 7. Minnesota’s defense held Denver to 32% shooting in the second half. - Did Jokić break any records?
His 34-19-7 line made him the first center with 30+ points and 15+ rebounds in a Game 7 since Wilt Chamberlain. - How did Edwards impact the game despite poor shooting?
Playmaking, defense, and clutch rebounds. His +/- of +9 trailed only Towns and McDaniels. - What doomed the Nuggets?
No bench production. Their non-Jokić/Murray players combined for 17 points on 20% shooting. - What’s next for Minnesota?
Their first Western Conference Finals since 2004, facing Dallas. A clash of Luka Dončić vs. Ant-Man awaits.
3 Takeaways to Steal from This Game
- Depth wins championships: Minnesota’s bench outscored Denver’s 29–6.
- Defense travels: Adjustments matter more than raw talent in elimination games.
- Stars need sidekicks: Jokić and Murray scored 69 of Denver’s 90 points—it wasn’t enough.
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