A Slap in the Face for Denver! Minnesota Backs Up Jokic Taunts, World's Best Player Helpless /VIDEO/

Denver comfortably won the first game, but in the second, they quickly squandered a 19-point lead from the start of the second quarter, which proved to be their undoing.

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray faltered in their offensive execution during the tight finish. Minnesota, sensing an opportunity, capitalized, and in Colorado, they knew all too well that this spelled trouble.

McDaniels further fueled the fire with his taunts directed at the defense of the former champions' biggest stars. The debate surrounding his statement raged for days, and the Timberwolves backed up those words on the court.

Their task was made easier by Denver's significant setback: the absence of Aaron Gordon. Gordon's arrival was once the final piece of the puzzle for their championship-winning team. He missed a staggering 46 games during the 2025/26 NBA regular season, with two separate right hamstring injuries limiting him to just 36 appearances, often with restricted minutes. Watson was also sidelined.

The Timberwolves sent a clear message in the first quarter, which they won by 14 points. That lead rarely dipped, at times reaching a maximum of 25 points midway through the third period. Denver couldn't even get close enough to entertain any false hope of narrowing the deficit to single digits.

In the first quarter, Jokic was limited to four points, five rebounds, and one steal, shooting 1-for-8 from the field, including three missed three-pointers. Without Gordon, Minnesota's job was made considerably easier, and they seized the opportunity.

More to follow...

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