{"id":715181,"date":"2026-04-21T13:36:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/715181\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T13:36:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:36:22","slug":"timberwolves-news-jaden-mcdaniels-ratchets-trash-talk-by-calling-out-nuggets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/715181\/","title":{"rendered":"Timberwolves news: Jaden McDaniels ratchets trash talk by calling out Nuggets"},"content":{"rendered":"

If there is one thing that Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> forward Jaden McDaniels<\/a> is good at, it is playing on-ball defense. If there is a second thing he is good at, it is rage-baiting.<\/p>\n

The Timberwolves evened their first-round series<\/a> against the Denver Nuggets<\/a> in the playoffs at 1-1 after completing a come-from-behind win in Game 2 at Ball Arena on Monday.<\/p>\n

Minnesota fought back from a 19-point deficit<\/a> to stun Denver and steal a pivotal victory on the road.<\/p>\n

When asked what their mindset was<\/a> in Game 2, McDaniels took out a lighter, several gallons of gasoline, and started a fire in Mile High City. Figuratively, of course.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo at (Nikola) Jokic, Jamal (Murray), all the bad defenders. Tim Hardaway, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, their whole team. Just go at them. Yeah, they’re all bad defenders,\u201d said McDaniels in the video posted by The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Chris Hine.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don’t have people who can defend the rim. If they have, we’re still more athletic than they are. We just gotta be able to finish what we do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jaden McDaniels, deadpan delivery, on what worked for the Timberwolves offensively. <\/p>\n

Jaden: Go at Jokic, Jamal, all the bad defenders. Tim Hardaway, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, their whole team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Q: They\u2019re all bad defenders?<\/p>\n

Jaden: \u201cYeah, they\u2019re all bad defenders.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/Lbjq7je9Fo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The fact that he was wearing a black hoodie only added to his villainous aura. It is great!<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old McDaniels also probably wanted to set the tone in their approach and maintain their competitive edge. It is the playoffs, after all. Players should not be chummy with opponents. They should be trying to decapitate each other.<\/p>\n

McDaniels contributed 14 points, two rebounds, and three assists in 37 minutes in Game 2, while also playing tough defense. Murray was held to only seven points<\/a> in the second half after exploding for 23 points in the first 24 minutes.<\/p>\n

McDaniels wanted all the smoke, so he started a fire.<\/p>\n

If there is one thing that Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels is good at, it is playing on-ball defense. If there is a second thing he is good at, it is rage-baiting. The Timberwolves evened their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs at 1-1 after completing a come-from-behind win in Game 2 at Ball Arena on Monday.<\/p>\n