Timberwolves Triumph: Historic Game 7 Comeback Stuns Nuggets

Timberwolves pull off a historic Game 7 comeback against the Nuggets, overcoming a 20-point deficit to advance to the Western Conference Finals. A thrilling and unforgettable victory.

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I did not write after Game 6’s historic beat down. Not only is there not much to take away from such a blowout, it would not matter much if the Timberwolves lost Game 7. The Nuggets took the wind out of their sales in the three preceding games. Even if the Timberwolves staved off elimination twice and lost Game 7 on the road, it still would have been a great season. Yeah, they had a chance, of course, but Games 3-5 were reminders of the team they were up against. Then, on the other hand, the Wolves already beat the Nuggets twice in the first six games of the season. What if they win?

The Timberwolves did just that with a 98-90 win on Sunday to advance to the Western Conference Finals. They did so despite Anthony Edwards missing 75 percent of his shots (literally) and Nikola Jokic posting 34 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists. Minnesota also trailed by 15 at the half and as much as 20 at one point in the third quarter. No team had ever overcome an 11-point halftime deficit in a Game 7 and the Nuggets bottled Edwards up, taking him out of rhythm and holding him to four points after two quarters.

While the Nuggets swarmed Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns tried keeping the team above water. Towns was 5-for-6 from the field but was far too deferential, often opting to swing the ball to Nickeil Alexander-Walker or Jaden McDaniels out of good looks. Those guys could have made all the shots in the world, but nothing would have taken Denver’s spotlight off of Edwards like Towns, say, hitting six 3s in the first half.

After a short Nuggets run to begin the second half, the Timberwolves found a way to get to the line and get the Nuggets out of their scheme. Minnesota shot 19 free throws in the second half compared to 10 in the first half. In a game when field goals are hard to come by, free throws are a great way to chip away at a deficit, especially in that environment.

It wasn’t until the third quarter when the Wolves trailed just 65-63 and I asked myself, “If the Timberwolves were blowing a 20-point lead in a Game 7 at home, I would feel awful about their chances of closing it out.” Then I realized Minnesota could actually close this out, even with Towns and Rudy Gobert in foul trouble.

Worse for Denver, they looked gassed. Jokic took just two 3s in the first half but eight in the second, connecting on only two. Jamal Murray had 24 points in the first half but just 11 in the second when Jokic stopped driving. The Timberwolves defense reasserted itself too. Or this one where Murray misses Jokic on the roll as the Wolves double team. They were even able to press Murray high to great result.

When Gobert hit that step back with seven minutes left in the game to put the Wolves up four, it felt like they were on their way. Minnesota never trailed again and Denver stood in place when their opponent had the ball with 27 seconds down seven points. The Nuggets were physically and mentally exhausted. Not making excuses, Denver talked about how tiring it was to be hunted every night as the defending champs and they finally got got.

"I don’t know. We didn’t accomplish that, so I don’t know. It’s hard because the teams are hungrier, better talented than last year probably,” said Jokic. “Everybody got better, everybody wants to beat us probably. That’s my thought process."

Now, the Timberwolves move on to face the Dallas Mavericks in a series that poses many interesting matchups. I may write some preliminary thoughts on that one, but while this is probably the preferred outcome for the Timberwolves instead of the Thunder, it does not mean this will be easy. The additions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford at the deadline have made a difference. Anyway, the path is there.

A Real Rivalry?

One thing the Timberwolves have not had is a true rivalry in their history. Teams like the Lakers and Spurs have had many run-ins with the Timberwolves, but those meetings have been rather one-sided. Even the early 2010s spats with Portland never amounted to anything in the playoffs.

Now, the Nuggets present themselves as a true rivalry. There was Game 82 in 2018, the first round last year where the Wolves lost in five without Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid, a legitimate shit talking point now. The Timberwolves have also beaten the Nuggets in 2004 and now 2024. Both teams figure to be in the mix for a few more years.

These Wolves May Be The Best In Team History

The 2004 team is something that is special to Timberwolves fans and rightfully so. However, it seems fair to say this team could be even better. This is maybe a piece unto itself but despite Kevin Garnett being in his prime, Latrell Sprewell was near the end of his career and Sam Cassell was done within half a decade. Ervin Johnson, Trenton Hassell and Troy Hudson were nice supporting pieces but Edwards-Gobert-Towns is a trio that could stand toe-to-toe with Garnett-Sprewell-Cassell considering where these players are in their career.

You can even argue now that this team has gotten as far as that group did. It does not make what the 2004 team did any less special but what these Timberwolves have done fighting back from elimination twice against the Nuggets and coming back to take Game 7 in historic fashion— setting the record for biggest halftime comeback in a Game 7— there is a real case here. Beat the Mavericks in the Conference Finals and that’s another notch in this team’s belt.

This was already a successful season and the Timberwolves are in position to keep building upon that success. I picked Denver before this series and legitimately/fairly changed my mind twice: after Game 2 and the manner in which Minnesota went up 2-0 and when Denver ripped off three-straight wins to reclaim home court advantage. What the Timberwolves did responding like they did in Game 6 and then in the second half of Game 7 shows you cannot count this squad out early.