The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 112-96 on Saturday night, taking a 3-1 lead in their NBA playoff series. However, the game ended in controversy after a late layup by Jaden McDaniels sparked a shoving match that led to the ejections of Nikola Jokić and Julius Randle.
McDaniels' Provocative Layup Ignites Melee
With the Timberwolves leading by 16 points and only 2.1 seconds remaining, McDaniels opted to drive for a layup instead of running out the clock, a move widely considered unsportsmanlike. Jokić, the Nuggets' star center, ran from half-court to confront McDaniels, and a shoving match ensued involving multiple players. Jokić and Randle were both ejected for their roles in the altercation.
“I don’t know what [Jokić] said, to be honest. I just seen someone who was big as hell,” McDaniels said, referring to the 6-foot-11, 284-pound Jokić. Jokić defended his actions, stating, “I don’t regret it. Because he scored after everybody stopped playing.”
McDaniels had already drawn the ire of the Nuggets earlier in the series by calling Jokić and his teammates “bad defenders.” Nuggets coach David Adelman criticized McDaniels’ decision, saying, “I didn’t like what McDaniels did. The game was over. The game was conceded. In 2026, that stuff just doesn’t happen anymore. That’s something that happens in the ‘80s, where teams would continue to score. But that’s who he is.”
Dosunmu Shines as Timberwolves Overcome Injuries
Despite the controversy, the Timberwolves’ victory was powered by an extraordinary performance from reserve guard Ayo Dosunmu. Acquired from Chicago in February, Dosunmu scored 43 points, the highest-scoring playoff performance by a substitute in 50 years. He made 13 of 17 shots, including 5 of 5 from three-point range, and all 12 free throws in 42 minutes. The last player to score more off the bench in the playoffs was Fred Brown, who had 45 for Seattle in 1976.
“Ayo was just out of this world, man,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “Just play after play after play.”
Dosunmu’s heroics were needed after injuries to key players Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo. Edwards, a four-time All-Star and the team’s leading scorer, left the game in the second quarter after landing awkwardly on his knee. He needed assistance to the locker room, putting little weight on his left leg. DiVincenzo also exited in the first half with a non-contact injury to his right leg, with early reports suggesting a possible ruptured Achilles tendon.
Nuggets Struggle from Deep
Jamal Murray led Denver with 30 points, while Jokić posted 24 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. However, the Nuggets shot just 6 of 27 from three-point range, contributing to their third consecutive loss. The Timberwolves can close out the series in Game 5 on Monday night in Denver.
“I expect us to have a great effort in Game 5,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. “I really trust our two best players will find a rhythm, and they have to find that at home.”
Other Playoff Action
In other NBA playoff games Saturday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a playoff-career-high 42 points to lead Oklahoma City to a road win over Phoenix, giving the Thunder a 3-0 series lead. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his first career playoff triple-double (20 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds) as New York defeated Atlanta to even their series 2-2. The Detroit Pistons, the East’s No. 1 seed, fell 2-1 behind Orlando after Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane each scored 25 points in a 113-105 Magic victory.
