Live updates: Timberwolves host Nuggets for Game 3 of NBA Playoffs
Timberwolves host Nuggets for Game 3 at Target Center
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets are tied 1-1 as the series heads to Game 3 Thursday night at Target Center. FOX 9's Pierre Noujaim has a preview on All Day, including Jaden McDaniels doubling down on Denver's "bad defenders."
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets for Game 3 of their NBA Playoff series Thursday night at Target Center.
The series is tied 1-1 after the Timberwolves beat the Nuggets 119-114 in Game 2.
Denver won Game 1 116-105.
Halftime: Timberwolves crushing Nuggets, 61-39
After starting fast with a 25-11 lead after the first quarter, the Timberwolves kept their foot on the gas and won the second quarter 36-28 to take a commanding 61-39 lead at the half. Adyo Dosunmu had a tea-high 14 points off the bench to lead Minnesota. Jaden McDaniels had 13 points, and Anthony Edwards has 11.
Nikola Jokic has 13 points to lead the Nuggets, but the Timberwolves' aggressive defense is limiting Denver to 31% shooting from the floor, 3-of-15 from the perimeter and they've forced seven turnovers.
Timberwolves lead Nuggets 25-11 after 1
The Timberwolves jumped out of the gates fast Thursday night and took a 25-11 lead after the first quarter. Jaden McDaniels, who called out the Nuggets' defense after Game 2, scored a team-high nine points in the opening frame. Six different players scored in the first quarter.
The Timberwolves started fast, feeding off a sellout crowd at Target Center.
Timberwolves injury updates
The Timberwolves announced before tip-off Thursday night that both Jaylen Clark and Terrence Shannon Jr. are out due to illness. Anthony Edwards, who has been dealing with an ongoing right knee issue, is available and will start. For the Nuggets, key role player Aaron Gordon is out due to a left calf injury, and Peyton Watson is out due to a hamstring injury..
Jaden McDaniels doubles down on ‘bad defenders’ comment
At Timberwolves' shootaround Thursday morning, Jaden McDaniels stood by his Game 2 postgame comments, when he called every Nuggets player "bad defenders."
Jaden McDaniels doubles down on Nuggets 'bad defenders' comment
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels called the Denver Nuggets "bad defenders" after their Game 2 win. He stood by his comments at shootaround Thursday ahead of Game 3.
He said the Timberwolves need to attack their defense. McDaniels was asked about it Thursday morning at shootaround.
"I don’t know. People have their own discussions, I’m just ready to play tonight and go win Game 3 for real. It’s whatever, it’s the playoffs so that’s probably why. I’m not tripping. You go on your phone, it’s hard not to see it, but it’s whatever. I said what I said," McDaniels said.