Jaden McDaniels got the last laugh.

Minnesota’s smack-talking forward hit the biggest shot Thursday as the shorthanded Timberwolves took the fight to the Nuggets and prevented a Game 7 with a 110-98 win that sent Denver home for a long offseason.

It was the first time the Nuggets have lost in the first round of the playoffs since 2022. Here are three takeaways from Game 6:

Jamal Murray goes cold

The best regular season of Jamal Murray’s career did not translate to the postseason.

While he finished with three 30-point games in the series, the likely All-NBA guard did not look like himself, in large part due to McDaniels, who made Murray work for every shot.

Game 6 was the lowlight for the 29-year-old Murray. He finished with 12 points on 4-for-17 shooting as Minnesota’s constant, 94-foot ball pressure continued to make him as uncomfortable as Murray has ever looked in the playoffs.

With how well Nikola Jokic (28 points and 10 assists) and Cam Johnson (27 points) played, an average game by Murray’s standards probably forces a Game 7. 

Booth’s draft mistake bites back

The Nuggets could’ve had Terrence Shannon Jr. Denver had a chance to draft the former Illinois standout in 2024, but ex-general manager Calvin Booth had his heart set on Dayton big man DaRon Holmes II — so much so that a good chunk of the league knew and the Nuggets gave up draft capital to move up six spots and take Holmes in the first round.

Holmes has been limited by an Achilles injury. Meanwhile, Minnesota drafted Shannon five picks after Holmes, and scored 24 points in his first playoff start.

Where do the Nuggets go from here?

What comes next for the Nuggets?

Denver didn’t make it out of the first round with both Jokic and Murray healthy for the first time in their careers. The Nuggets earned the No. 3 seed and were favored to win this series.

They undoubtedly will look different next season. Some hard conversations will be had about players who have contributed a great deal to Denver.