By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Anthony Edwards scored 43 points for a new Minnesota Timberwolves playoffs record and grabbed seven rebounds as his team beat defending champion Denver Nuggets 106 – 99 on the road to start the first Western Conference semifinal series.
Naz Reid contributed 14 out of his 16 points in the fourth quarter where the Timberwolves pulled away down the stretch. With the score tied at 84 and 6:24 to play, the visiting side made a 18 – 7 run capped by an Edwards jumper.
Nikola Jokic scored five quick points but free throws by Edwards kept the Timberwolves at a distance in the last minute.
“Going against the best player in the world is always fun,” Edwards said about the clash against Jokic and the Nuggets overall. “Going against the best team in the world is always fun.”
Jokic finished with 32 points (2-9 triples), nine assists and eight rebounds but also seven turnovers. “We need to do a better job of making them make tough shots, maybe make the extra pass,” said the Serbian big man. This was just the third playoff loss at home for the Nuggets after 2022.
Rudy Gobert grabbed 13 rebounds to go with his six points and three blocks for the Timberwolves.