The Denver Nuggets say they are paying little attention to Jaden McDaniels’ claim that several of their starters are “bad defenders,” comments the Minnesota Timberwolves wing delivered after Monday night’s 119-114 victory in Game 2.
Minnesota’s win evened the Western Conference first-round series at one game apiece. As soon as the matchup shifted to Denver’s practice facility on Wednesday, questions about McDaniels’ remarks dominated the conversation.
“Let them talk,” forward Cam Johnson said before the team boarded an afternoon flight to Minneapolis for Thursday’s pivotal Game 3. “All season, all series. Let them get everything off their chest.”
McDaniels singles out Denver starters
Following Game 2, McDaniels listed Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr. as players he believes struggle on defense, adding that Denver lacks a true rim protector and that Minnesota is “more athletic.”
Head coach David Adelman answered with sarcasm. “I can’t wait for his podcast,” he joked. “Everyone has a sounding board these days. It’ll help his social media.”
Numbers tell a different story, coach says
The Nuggets finished the regular season with the NBA’s best offensive rating (121.2) but ranked 21st defensively (116.0). Adelman countered that the club’s playoff defensive rating is 109.3 through the first 96 minutes, sixth among the 16 postseason teams. “Narratives are interesting,” he said. “109. How is that? Sixth best in the playoffs? OK. Next.”
Injuries and assignments
Denver remains without fourth-year wing Peyton Watson, sidelined by a hamstring strain. Adelman does not expect him back for Game 3, leaving Christian Braun as the primary option to slow Anthony Edwards at the point of attack. Braun viewed McDaniels’ critique as typical playoff banter. “He’s kinda speaking his truth,” the guard said. “We’ll allow them to do that. We want to take care of our own.”
Recent postseason history
This is the third playoff meeting between the teams in four seasons. Denver ousted Minnesota in five games in 2023; the Timberwolves returned the favor in seven games in 2024.
The best-of-seven series resumes Thursday night at Target Center.
Source: ESPN.com
