The Timberwolves smothered the Nuggets without Rudy Gobert, limiting them to 34.9 percent shooting from the field and took a commanding lead in the series with a 106-80 win in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 27 points, with Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker adding 14 points off the bench. Jamal Murray just shot 3 of 18 field goals and Nikola Jokic almost had another triple-double (16 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists).
Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to the Timberwolves victory.
Jamal Murray threw a heat pack onto the court during play.
I’ve wanted to throw a lot of things watching the Timberwolves over my lifetime.
This is the first time I’ve ever seen the Timberwolves force an opponent to throw a tantrum mid-gamepic.twitter.com/SloEJwvbAg
— Shahbaz Khan (@ShahbazMKhan) May 7, 2024
Did Jamal Murray make the money sign at the official? 🤔
Rudy Gobert was fined $100,000 for making the gesture at the officials 2 months ago.pic.twitter.com/ObR2txfLLV
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 7, 2024
Also, Game 3 isn’t until FRIDAY so the Nuggets have to sit with this absolute ass kicking for the whole damn week before their chance for some get back.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) May 7, 2024
Jokic has just been dreadful defensively in the playoffs
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) May 7, 2024
I’m blaming everyone who voted yes on reintroducing Wolves in Colorado
— Grace Marlowe (@graceofthecurls) May 7, 2024
I thought the Nuggets would make a STATEMENT tonight. How about, “We got no answers against this TWolves defense.”
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 7, 2024
These young Wolves got the Champs, the most “poised” team in the league throwing tantrums and unraveling like a 10th seed that got in through the Play In. Jesus Christ!
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 7, 2024
this game has been an absolute mauling. nuggets just complaining about gettin punched rather than punching back.
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) May 7, 2024
We have never seen the Nuggets unravel like this. Completely shook. This Timberwolves defense has squashed them.
— Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares) May 7, 2024