Timberwolves upset Nuggets in Game 6

Minnesota just pulled off the kind of playoff win that usually sounds fake when you first hear it. The Timberwolves beat Denver 110-98 in Game 6 on Thursday, won the series 4-2, and did it while missing Anthony Edwards and two other guards from the regular rotation. That matters because this was not some fluky one-shot upset. It was a six-game series win over a 54-win Nuggets team built around Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. And now the bracket flips — Minnesota moves on to San Antonio for Game 1 on May 4. (nba.com) ### How did Minnesota win this game? By going huge — and by making Denver play Minnesota’s kind of game. With its top three guards out, the Wolves leaned into size with Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid, then pounded Denver inside for a 64-40 edge in points in the paint and a 50-33 rebounding adv(nba.com) and shot creation, we’ll beat you with force. (espn.com) ### Who actually carried the scoring? Jaden McDaniels was the headliner. He put up a playoff-career-high 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, which is the kind of line you need when your usual offensive engine is in street clothes. Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 24 in a surprise start, and the Wolves got enough from the frontcourt(espn.com)Minnesota didn’t need one miracle bench burst this time. It got a full team answer. (nba.com) ### Wait — who was out? Anthony Edwards was already sidelined by a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee, with ESPN listing him out and expected to miss multiple weeks. Donte DiVincenzo was also lost to an Achilles tear, and Minnesota entered Game 6 without its top three guards, which makes t(nba.com)ecame the setup for one of the weirder and more impressive closeout wins of the first round. (espn.com) ### What went wrong for Denver? Denver never got comfortable offensively, and that’s been a theme in Minneapolis all series. The Nuggets averaged 122.1 points in the regular season, but in three games in Minnesota they failed to reach 100 every time. That tells you this wasn’t just about one cold shooting night. Minn(espn.com)rcing Denver into a more physical game than it wanted. (nba.com) ### Is this really an upset? Yes — even if it doesn’t feel shocking anymore. Denver was the No. 3 seed, finished 54-28, and came in on a 12-game winning streak to close the regular season. Minnesota was the No. 6 seed at 49-33. But turns out seed lines matter less when one team has the matchup, the siz(nba.com)they chose us” edge, and his group clearly bought it. (nba.com) ### Why does the Spurs matchup matter? Because the West semifinal picture just changed. Instead of Denver moving on, San Antonio gets a Wolves team that has already shown it can survive injuries and win ugly. The schedule is already lined up — Game 1 is May 4 at Frost Bank Center, with Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 in San Antonio because the Spurs have home court. (cbssports.com) ### So what’s the real takeaway? Minnesota didn’t just steal one game. It proved its depth is real enough to kill a contender without its star. That’s the scary part for San Antonio — and the brutal part for Denver. (espn.com)