Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
By Joel Reyes
The injury-plagued Minnesota Timberwolves recorded a major shock on Friday (PH time), defeating the Denver Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6 of their first-round series at Target Center to book their place in the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Wolves won the best-of-seven series 4-2 despite missing several key players in Game 6. Ayo Dosunmu joined injured stars Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo on the sidelines due to a calf problem.
Jaden McDaniels stepped up in their absence, posting a double-double with 32 points and 10 rebounds. Terrence Shannon Jr. also was phenomenal in his emergency start, scoring 24 points and grabbing 6 rebounds for the Wolves.
Julius Randle added 18 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds for the Wolves, who will next face the San Antonio Spurs in the second round.
Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
It was a disappointing end to the season for the Nuggets, who entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the West.
Nikola Jokic carried Denver in Game 6, coming one rebound shy of a triple-double with 28 points, 10 assists, and 9 boards.
Cameron Johnson added 27 points for the Nuggets, who scored just one field goal in the final eight minutes of the game.