Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Match Player Stats
The timberwolves vs denver nuggets match player stats from Game 6 tell a much bigger story than the final 110-98 score. Minnesota eliminated Denver in the Western Conference first round on April 30, 2026, behind a career playoff performance from Jaden McDaniels, a highly active game from Rudy Gobert, and an unexpected scoring boost from Terrence Shannon Jr. The Timberwolves won the series 4-2 at Target Center, turning a difficult injury situation into one of the most impressive team performances of their postseason.
McDaniels finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block while shooting 13-for-25 from the field. Gobert added 10 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, one steal and two blocks. Shannon Jr., making a surprise start because of Minnesota’s injury problems, contributed 24 points on 9-for-20 shooting. For Denver, Nikola Jokic produced 28 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists, while Cameron Johnson scored 27 points. Jamal Murray, however, was held to 12 points on 4-for-17 shooting.
The most important statistical difference was not simply shooting. Minnesota dominated the possession battle through offensive rebounding, limited its turnovers, generated more second-chance opportunities and repeatedly attacked the paint. That combination allowed the Timberwolves to win despite making only seven of 29 three-point attempts.
Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Match Player Stats at a Glance
Game 6 was played at Target Center in Minneapolis with an announced attendance of 18,978. Minnesota entered the game as the sixth seed with a 49-33 regular-season record, while Denver entered as the third seed at 54-28.
| Category | Denver Nuggets | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Final score | 98 | 110 |
| Q1 | 30 | 29 |
| Q2 | 20 | 28 |
| Q3 | 24 | 25 |
| Q4 | 24 | 28 |
| Field goals | 34-75 | 43-94 |
| FG percentage | 45.3% | 45.7% |
| Three-pointers | 10-27 | 7-29 |
| 3-point percentage | 37.0% | 24.1% |
| Free throws | 20-25 | 17-24 |
| FT percentage | 80.0% | 70.8% |
| Total rebounds | 46 | 58 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 19 |
| Assists | 24 | 26 |
| Steals | 4 | 8 |
| Blocks | 8 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 7 |
| Fouls | 26 | 21 |
| Points in the paint | 40 | 64 |
| Second-chance points | 4 | 20 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 13 |
| Points off turnovers | 10 | 16 |
These figures explain why Minnesota won even though Denver had a major advantage from three-point range. The Nuggets made 37.0% of their attempts from deep compared with Minnesota’s 24.1%. Yet the Timberwolves created 13 more offensive rebounds, committed six fewer turnovers and scored 24 more points in the paint.
That is the central lesson from this game: shooting efficiency from one area of the floor cannot always compensate for losing the possession and interior battles.
Complete Denver Nuggets Player Stats
Denver’s box score was led by Jokic, but the distribution of production was uneven. Cameron Johnson provided an important scoring contribution, while Murray struggled badly against Minnesota’s defensive pressure.
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | STL | BLK | TO |
| Nikola Jokic | 43:24 | 28 | 9 | 10 | 11-19 | 1-5 | 5-6 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Cameron Johnson | 39:14 | 27 | 8 | 3 | 8-15 | 5-10 | 6-9 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Jamal Murray | 40:18 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 4-17 | 0-2 | 4-4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Spencer Jones | 35:17 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3-4 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Christian Braun | 27:35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1-4 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | 20:59 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 4-7 | 1-2 | 4-4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tyus Jones | 12:26 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2-4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Bruce Brown Jr. | 14:22 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0-2 | 0-1 | 1-2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Jonas Valanciunas | 3:43 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Zeke Nnaji | 2:43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Denver’s complete box score shows how heavily the offense depended on its main contributors. Jokic and Johnson combined for 55 points, which represented more than half of Denver’s 98 points. Murray added only 12, while the remaining players supplied limited scoring support.
Nikola Jokic: 28 Points, 9 Rebounds, 10 Assists
Jokic delivered the most complete individual offensive line for Denver. His 28 points came on 11-for-19 shooting, and he also created 10 assists. That means the Nuggets still had a primary offensive engine capable of scoring and passing at an elite level.
The problem was efficiency and pressure in the most important moments.
Jokic committed four turnovers and finished with a minus-9 plus/minus. Minnesota did not completely shut him down, but the Timberwolves made him work for many of his opportunities and repeatedly used Gobert’s size and length to complicate his interior attacks.
Jokic’s nine rebounds also mattered, but Minnesota’s collective rebounding advantage was much larger. The Wolves finished with 58 total rebounds compared with Denver’s 46.
The final sequence was especially revealing. With just over a minute remaining and Minnesota ahead, Jokic committed a turnover that McDaniels converted into a crucial possession for the Timberwolves. That play reflected the broader problem Denver faced late in the game: Minnesota’s defensive pressure was forcing difficult decisions when the Nuggets had little margin for error.
Cameron Johnson: 27 Points
Johnson was arguably Denver’s most efficient scorer.
He scored 27 points on 8-for-15 shooting and made five of his 10 three-point attempts. He also grabbed eight rebounds and added three assists.
His outside shooting was a major reason Denver stayed competitive. Every time Minnesota appeared ready to create separation, Johnson had the ability to answer with a jumper.
Still, his scoring could not overcome the overall possession deficit. Denver shot 45.3% from the field and 37.0% from three, numbers that ordinarily give a team a strong chance to win. But Minnesota’s 19 offensive rebounds generated repeated extra possessions, and those opportunities eventually outweighed Denver’s superior three-point accuracy.
Jamal Murray: 12 Points
Murray’s 12-point performance was one of the biggest individual differences in the game.
He shot just 4-for-17 from the field and 0-for-2 from three. His six rebounds and four assists provided some secondary value, but the scoring efficiency was far below what Denver needed from its starting guard.
McDaniels was central to that result.
Instead of treating Murray’s defense as an isolated matchup, Minnesota repeatedly made the Nuggets deal with McDaniels’ length and physical pressure on the perimeter. Murray had difficulty creating clean separation, which reduced Denver’s ability to generate the type of half-court rhythm it needed.
A 4-for-17 shooting night is particularly damaging when a team’s other primary creator is already carrying a large workload.
Complete Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats
Minnesota’s box score was more balanced than Denver’s, even though McDaniels produced the headline performance.
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | STL | BLK | TO |
| Jaden McDaniels | 44:54 | 32 | 10 | 3 | 13-25 | 1-4 | 5-6 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Terrence Shannon Jr. | 34:42 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 9-20 | 1-7 | 5-5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Julius Randle | 37:27 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 6-17 | 2-5 | 4-6 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Rudy Gobert | 41:46 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 4-6 | 0-0 | 2-4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Naz Reid | 33:47 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 7-13 | 1-3 | 0-1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Mike Conley | 26:29 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3-7 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jaylen Clark | 12:10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1-3 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bones Hyland | 8:44 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0-3 | 0-3 | 1-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Minnesota’s statistical profile is striking because it did not depend on one conventional offensive formula. McDaniels supplied perimeter scoring, Gobert controlled the glass, Randle provided secondary creation, Reid stretched the floor and Shannon supplied energy and downhill attacks.
Jaden McDaniels Was the Difference Maker
McDaniels’ 32-point performance deserves more attention than simply calling it a career high.
He shot 13-for-25 from the field, grabbed 10 rebounds, recorded three assists and two steals, and committed zero turnovers. His plus/minus was a game-best plus-16.
That combination is what made his performance unusual.
A player scoring 32 points is valuable. A player scoring 32 points while also defending one of the opponent’s most important perimeter creators, collecting 10 rebounds and protecting possessions without turning the ball over is considerably more valuable.
McDaniels also became increasingly important as the fourth quarter developed.
With Minnesota leading 82-74 entering the final period, Denver made several attempts to close the gap. The Nuggets eventually pulled within three points at 95-98 with less than five minutes remaining.
Minnesota then relied on its most dependable late-game elements.
Randle scored to restore a five-point cushion. Shannon attacked the basket for a score and free throw. McDaniels followed with another pull-up jumper, and his late free throws pushed the margin beyond Denver’s reach.
The final stretch showed why McDaniels’ performance was about more than raw scoring. He remained involved defensively, created pressure on Jokic and continued to attack when Minnesota needed a reliable shot.
Rudy Gobert’s Statistical Impact Was Bigger Than 10 Points
Gobert’s 10 points might look modest when compared with McDaniels’ 32 or Johnson’s 27.
That would be misleading.
Gobert finished with 13 rebounds and eight assists while shooting 4-for-6 from the field. He also recorded two blocks and a steal.
More importantly, his presence helped Minnesota dominate the interior.
The Timberwolves scored 64 points in the paint compared with Denver’s 40. They also grabbed 19 offensive rebounds.
Gobert was directly involved in that physical advantage. He collected seven offensive rebounds, giving Minnesota extra chances even when its initial shots failed.
His eight assists were another underappreciated part of the performance. Gobert was not simply waiting near the basket for passes. He was helping move the ball and connecting teammates in a game where Minnesota had limited traditional shot creation because of injuries.
This is a good example of why box-score analysis should not focus only on points.
If someone looked only at scoring, they might rank Gobert behind several players. If they looked at rebounds, assists, blocks, offensive rebounds and defensive influence together, his contribution becomes much easier to understand.
Terrence Shannon Jr. Delivered the Unexpected Scoring Boost
Shannon Jr. entered the starting lineup because Minnesota was dealing with significant injuries.
He responded with 24 points, six rebounds, one assist and two steals in 34:42.
His 9-for-20 shooting was not highly efficient, and he made only one of seven three-point attempts. But his value came from his ability to create pressure toward the basket.
That mattered because Minnesota’s normal shot-creation structure had been disrupted.
Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo were unavailable, and Ayo Dosunmu was also inactive. Rather than allowing those absences to completely change the team’s identity, Minnesota found production from a player who could attack space and bring speed into the game.
Shannon’s fourth-quarter contribution was particularly important. With Denver still within striking distance, he scored on a drive and converted the accompanying free throw with 1:43 remaining.
That sequence gave Minnesota a six-point lead and helped establish control of the closing possessions.
Julius Randle Added the Secondary Creation Minnesota Needed
Randle finished with 18 points, four rebounds and five assists.
His 6-for-17 shooting was not especially efficient, but his role went beyond scoring.
Five assists were important for a Timberwolves team that was missing several ball-handling options. Randle helped maintain offensive flow while also contributing four rebounds.
His fourth-quarter basket with 3:20 remaining pushed Minnesota from 98-95 to 100-95.
That shot was valuable because Denver was beginning to generate momentum. Instead of allowing the Nuggets to tie the game or take the lead, Minnesota used Randle’s individual creation to regain control.
This is one reason raw shooting percentages can sometimes hide a player’s value in a playoff game. Randle did not have his most efficient shooting night, but his scoring, passing and ability to create a shot late were important to the outcome.
Naz Reid Provided Efficient Frontcourt Scoring
Reid scored 15 points on 7-for-13 shooting, added seven rebounds and four assists, and finished with a plus-11.
His 7-for-13 shooting was one of Minnesota’s better offensive efficiency performances.
Reid also made one of three attempts from three-point range. That matters because his ability to space the floor gave Minnesota another way to attack Denver’s defense while Gobert occupied the interior.
His fourth-quarter three-pointer with 7:46 remaining gave Minnesota a 91-87 lead.
That shot was more than three points. It forced Denver to defend a larger offensive structure rather than simply packing the paint.
The Rebounding Battle Explains the Result
One of the most important corrections to the supplied figures is the total rebounding count.
The official box score records Minnesota with 58 total rebounds and Denver with 46. Minnesota also held a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds.
That 12-rebound overall advantage is meaningful.
The offensive-rebound difference is even more significant.
Minnesota collected 13 more offensive rebounds than Denver. Those possessions created second chances and prevented the Nuggets from turning defensive stops into clean transitions.
Minnesota scored 20 second-chance points compared with only four for Denver.
That is a 16-point advantage in second-chance scoring.
When the final margin is 12 points, that category alone becomes extremely important.
It also helps explain why Minnesota could shoot only 24.1% from three and still win comfortably.
The Timberwolves simply created more opportunities.
The Paint Battle Was Even More Decisive
Minnesota scored 64 points in the paint.
Denver scored 40.
That 24-point difference was one of the clearest statistical indicators of Minnesota’s game plan.
The Timberwolves used their size to attack inside rather than relying heavily on perimeter shooting. Gobert’s offensive rebounding created additional interior chances, Randle attacked from the forward position, Shannon brought speed to the rim and McDaniels repeatedly used mid-range scoring.
Denver, meanwhile, produced strong three-point numbers but could not match Minnesota’s interior volume.
This created an interesting contrast.
Denver was more efficient from long range.
Minnesota was more productive around the basket.
In a playoff elimination game, Minnesota’s approach proved more reliable because it also produced free throws and offensive rebounds.
Turnovers Gave Minnesota Extra Possessions
Minnesota committed only seven turnovers.
Denver committed 13.
That six-turnover difference may look small in isolation, but it becomes much more important when combined with the rebounding numbers.
Minnesota’s formula was essentially:
- Limit turnovers.
- Attack the paint.
- Crash the offensive glass.
- Force Denver into difficult late-clock decisions.
- Make enough shots to convert those extra possessions into a lead.
The Timberwolves also recorded eight steals compared with Denver’s four.
The result was a 16-10 advantage in points off turnovers.
So Minnesota won both sides of the possession equation.
It protected its own possessions better and created additional opportunities through defense and rebounding.
Three-Point Shooting Favored Denver
This is perhaps the most surprising part of the box score.
Denver made 10 of 27 three-point attempts.
Minnesota made only seven of 29.
That means Denver made three more three-pointers despite taking two fewer attempts.
The Nuggets also had the better three-point percentage by a wide margin:
Denver: 37.0%
Minnesota: 24.1%
Normally, that advantage would be a major warning sign for the opposing team.
But the Timberwolves offset it through their interior production.
Minnesota scored 24 more points in the paint, 16 more second-chance points and six more points off turnovers.
This is an important lesson when interpreting playoff statistics. A team’s three-point percentage can tell you how well it shot from outside, but it does not tell you how many total possessions the team generated or lost.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Denver Starts Fast
Denver won the opening quarter 30-29.
The Nuggets appeared comfortable early, and Johnson’s shooting helped establish their perimeter rhythm.
Minnesota stayed close through McDaniels, Shannon and Randle.
The one-point deficit after 12 minutes was important because Denver had not yet been able to turn its early offensive success into separation.
Second Quarter: Minnesota Takes Control
The Timberwolves responded with a 28-point second quarter while holding Denver to 20.
That eight-point swing gave Minnesota a 57-50 halftime lead.
The difference was not one single scoring burst. Minnesota gradually increased its physical pressure, generated second opportunities and began to establish its preferred interior game.
McDaniels continued scoring, while Shannon’s energy gave Minnesota another attacking option.
Third Quarter: Denver Fights Back
Denver scored 24 in the third, while Minnesota scored 25.
That left Minnesota with an eight-point advantage heading into the final period.
Jokic remained productive and helped keep Denver within reach. The Nuggets were still alive because of their three-point shooting and Jokic’s playmaking.
But Minnesota never surrendered its rebounding and interior advantages.
Fourth Quarter: Minnesota Closes the Series
The final period belonged to Minnesota, 28-24.
Denver repeatedly threatened to make the game a one-possession contest, but Minnesota answered every major challenge.
McDaniels became increasingly important, while Randle and Shannon provided timely offense.
Gobert continued controlling the glass.
The final minutes showed a team that understood exactly what it needed to do. Minnesota did not need to suddenly become an elite three-point shooting team. It needed to protect the ball, rebound, defend and make enough late shots.
That is exactly what happened.
Why Denver Lost Despite Shooting 45.3%
A 45.3% field-goal percentage is not poor.
Denver also made 80% of its free throws and 37% of its threes.
So why did the Nuggets lose by 12?
The answer is that efficiency alone does not determine the result.
Denver’s biggest problems were:
- Six more turnovers than Minnesota
- 13 fewer offensive rebounds
- 12 fewer total rebounds
- 24 fewer points in the paint
- 16 fewer second-chance points
- 16 fewer points off turnovers
- Jamal Murray shooting 4-for-17
- Minnesota’s late-game defensive pressure
The Nuggets were not simply beaten by bad shooting.
They were beaten because Minnesota controlled more of the possessions that surrounded the shots.
Why Minnesota Won Despite Shooting 24.1% From Three
The opposite question is equally interesting.
How can a team make only seven of 29 three-pointers and still win a playoff elimination game by 12?
Minnesota’s answer was volume inside the arc.
The Timberwolves made 43 field goals compared with Denver’s 34. That is nine more made field goals.
They also took 94 field-goal attempts compared with Denver’s 75.
The difference was 19 additional shot attempts.
That is enormous.
Minnesota’s offensive rebounding helped create those opportunities. Denver’s turnovers created additional chances. Minnesota’s aggressive interior approach also generated free throws.
The result was that Minnesota could afford to miss more three-pointers because it created more total scoring opportunities elsewhere.
McDaniels vs Murray Was the Critical Individual Matchup
The box score makes the contrast easy to see.
McDaniels:
32 points
10 rebounds
3 assists
2 steals
13-for-25 shooting
0 turnovers
+16
Murray:
12 points
6 rebounds
4 assists
4-for-17 shooting
0 turnovers
-18
Murray did provide six rebounds and four assists, but the scoring difference was massive.
McDaniels scored 20 more points.
More importantly, McDaniels’ defensive assignment reduced Murray’s offensive effectiveness while McDaniels simultaneously became Minnesota’s leading scorer.
That is the kind of two-way contribution that changes a playoff series.
A defender who only limits an opponent is useful.
A defender who limits an opponent and then becomes the team’s primary scoring option is much harder to overcome.
What the Game Says About Nikola Jokic
Jokic’s 28-9-10 line confirms that Denver still received elite production from its central offensive player.
The issue was what happened around him.
A playoff offense built around a superstar needs secondary scoring and reliable shot creation when the defense makes the superstar work.
Denver received 27 from Johnson, but Murray’s 12-point outing left the Nuggets with too little consistent production.
Minnesota’s defensive plan did not require Jokic to score only a small number of points.
Instead, it aimed to make every possession physically demanding and prevent the rest of the roster from consistently benefiting from his playmaking.
That distinction matters.
Stopping Jokic completely is an unrealistic defensive goal.
Making his production insufficient to win is much more achievable.
Minnesota did the latter.
The Importance of Minnesota’s Injury Situation
The Timberwolves entered Game 6 without several important contributors.
Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo were already unavailable, while Ayo Dosunmu was also ruled out.
That dramatically changed Minnesota’s offensive resources.
Instead of collapsing, the Timberwolves adjusted.
Shannon Jr. entered the starting lineup and scored 24 points. McDaniels assumed a larger offensive role. Gobert contributed more as a passer. Randle continued to create. Reid provided efficient scoring and spacing.
The result was a useful demonstration of roster depth.
Minnesota did not replace Edwards’ offensive production with one player.
It replaced it through a combination of roles.
That is often what good playoff teams do when injuries disrupt their preferred rotation.
What the Plus/Minus Numbers Tell Us
McDaniels led Minnesota with a plus-16.
Randle was plus-15.
Gobert and Reid were both plus-11.
Shannon finished plus-7.
For Denver, Murray had the worst individual mark among the primary players at minus-18.
These numbers should not be treated as a complete measure of individual performance because plus/minus depends on teammates, opponents and lineup combinations.
However, in this game the numbers reinforce what the broader statistics already show.
Minnesota’s main rotation players generally won their minutes.
The Wolves’ most important players were able to produce on both ends of the court while maintaining control of the game.
A More Useful Way to Read the Box Score
When analyzing a game like this, it helps to separate the statistics into five groups.
Scoring
McDaniels led everyone with 32 points.
Jokic scored 28.
Johnson had 27.
Shannon added 24.
Randle scored 18.
These numbers tell us who finished possessions.
Efficiency
Denver shot 45.3% overall and 37.0% from three.
Minnesota shot 45.7% overall but only 24.1% from three.
This category clearly favored Denver from outside.
Possession Control
Minnesota had 19 offensive rebounds and only seven turnovers.
Denver had six offensive rebounds and 13 turnovers.
This category strongly favored Minnesota.
Interior Production
Minnesota scored 64 points in the paint.
Denver scored 40.
This was another major advantage for the Timberwolves.
Two-Way Impact
McDaniels had 32 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and a plus-16.
Gobert had 13 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks.
Those numbers demonstrate why Minnesota’s victory cannot be explained through scoring alone.
What Fans Should Remember From Game 6
The headline is obvious: Minnesota won 110-98 and eliminated Denver 4-2.
But the deeper statistical story is more interesting.
Minnesota won because it created more possessions and made those possessions physical.
The Wolves grabbed 19 offensive rebounds, committed only seven turnovers, scored 64 points in the paint and generated 20 second-chance points.
Denver’s three-point shooting kept the Nuggets competitive, but it did not overcome Minnesota’s advantages in the areas that accumulate possession after possession.
McDaniels was the individual symbol of that approach.
He scored 32 points, defended Murray, grabbed 10 rebounds, recorded two steals and avoided turnovers.
Gobert was the structural foundation.
He controlled the glass, defended the interior and delivered eight assists.
Shannon was the unexpected catalyst.
Randle and Reid provided secondary scoring and playmaking.
Conley kept the offense organized.
Together, those performances created a result that was much more balanced than the headline scoring numbers might suggest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who led the Timberwolves in Game 6 against the Nuggets?
Jaden McDaniels led Minnesota with 32 points and 10 rebounds. He also recorded three assists, two steals, one block and a plus-16 rating.
Who led the Nuggets in scoring?
Nikola Jokic led Denver with 28 points. He also recorded nine rebounds and 10 assists. Cameron Johnson was close behind with 27 points.
What was Jamal Murray’s stat line?
Jamal Murray finished with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists. He shot 4-for-17 from the field and 0-for-2 from three-point range.
How did Minnesota beat Denver despite poor three-point shooting?
Minnesota made only seven of 29 three-point attempts, but it dominated the paint, offensive glass and turnover battle. The Timberwolves scored 64 points in the paint, grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and committed only seven turnovers.
How many rebounds did the Timberwolves have?
Minnesota officially recorded 58 total rebounds, including 19 offensive rebounds. Denver recorded 46 total rebounds and six offensive rebounds.
Did Minnesota win the series?
Yes. Minnesota defeated Denver 110-98 in Game 6 to win the Western Conference first-round series 4-2.
Conclusion
The timberwolves vs denver nuggets match player stats from Game 6 show why Minnesota advanced even though Denver had the better three-point shooting night.
Jaden McDaniels delivered the defining performance with 32 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Rudy Gobert controlled the interior with 13 rebounds and eight assists. Terrence Shannon Jr. provided 24 unexpected points, while Julius Randle and Naz Reid supplied valuable scoring and playmaking.
For Denver, Nikola Jokic produced an excellent 28-point, nine-rebound and 10-assist line, and Cameron Johnson added 27 points. But Jamal Murray’s 12 points on 4-for-17 shooting left Denver without enough secondary scoring.
The decisive statistics were possession-based. Minnesota had 58 rebounds to Denver’s 46, grabbed 19 offensive rebounds to Denver’s six, committed seven turnovers to Denver’s 13, and scored 64 points in the paint to Denver’s 40.
That combination explains the 110-98 result better than three-point percentage alone.
Minnesota’s victory was ultimately a complete team performance built around physicality, defensive pressure, rebounding and timely scoring. McDaniels provided the star-level production, but the numbers show that the series-clinching win was created by contributions across the lineup.
