T-Wolves eliminate Nuggets as Knicks demolish Hawks in NBA playoffs
OG Anunoby top-scored with 29 points, including 26 in the first half, before he was rested (Kevin C. Cox) The Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets while the New York Knicks put on one of the most dominant displays in NBA playoff history, destroying Atlanta to advance Thursday. Sixth-seeded Minnesota will play the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semi-finals after completing a 110-98 win for a 4-2 series upset defeat of third-seeded Denver.
Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic top-scored for Denver with 28 but it was not enough to fend off the dogged Timberwolves, who were playing without star man Anthony Edwards due to injury. The clash in Minneapolis was tight throughout, with no team gaining a double-digit lead until the game's dying moments. The Timberwolves edged the first half, leading 57-50 at the break.
Jokic roared to life. The Serbian superstar scored 14 points in the third quarter alone to ensure a nail-biting finish. Having already been ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct from game four after a shoving match, Jokic enraged the home crowd by sparking another brawl, with Jaylen Clark.
With his Timberwolves leading by five with 90 seconds remaining, Jaden McDaniels sank a long jump-shot for two to rouse the home fans and force a Nuggets timeout. When play resumed Denver could only turn over the ball again. McDaniels closed out the win with two free throws, ending his night with a career-high 32 points, to top-score overall.
"It's a great night. It's a great victory for us. Hopefully...