Jaden McDaniels got the last laugh.<\/p>\n
Minnesota\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
Jamal Murray goes cold<\/p>\n
The best regular season of Jamal Murray\u2019s career did not translate to the postseason. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Game 6 was the lowlight for the 29-year-old Murray. He finished with 12 points on 4-for-17 shooting as Minnesota\u2019s constant, 94-foot ball pressure continued to make him as uncomfortable as Murray has ever looked in the playoffs. <\/p>\n
With how well Nikola Jokic (28 points and 10 assists) and Cam Johnson (27 points) played, an average game by Murray\u2019s standards probably forces a Game 7.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Booth\u2019s draft mistake bites back<\/p>\n
The Nuggets could\u2019ve 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 \u2014 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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Where do the Nuggets go from here?<\/p>\n
What comes next for the Nuggets? <\/p>\n
Denver didn\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n
They undoubtedly will look different next season. Some hard conversations will be had about players who have contributed a great deal to Denver.<\/p>\n
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