Timberwolves erase 20-point deficit to defeat Nuggets in Game 7 & advance to WCF | NBA | UNDISPUTED
Summary
TLDRIn a spirited discussion on 'Undisputed,' the hosts dissect the Denver Nuggets' shocking loss in a Game 7 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They analyze the Nuggets' inability to maintain a 20-point lead at home, despite MVP Nikola Jokic's efforts. The conversation highlights the Timberwolves' defensive prowess and the Nuggets' lack of contribution from role players. The hosts also touch on the potential for young teams like Dallas, Memphis, and OKC to rise in the rankings, suggesting a possible shift in the NBA landscape as established teams face new challenges.
Takeaways
- 🏀 Paul Pierce returned to the show after having surgery on his hand, which was injured in the weight room.
- 🤔 The Denver Nuggets' unexpected loss in game seven at home was a shock, especially considering their strong performance over the years.
- 🏆 The Minnesota Timberwolves' victory was attributed to their number one defense in the NBA and the performance of their stars and role players alike.
- 🚨 The Nuggets' loss was marked by a significant collapse, with a 54-24 run by Minnesota turning the tide of the game.
- 🎯 Rudy Gobert's critical shot was a turning point, putting Minnesota ahead and effectively ending the game for Denver.
- 👀 The role players for Denver failed to step up, with Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon underperforming in the crucial game.
- 🔝 The performance of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns was pivotal for Minnesota, with Towns making a significant defensive adjustment.
- 📊 The Nuggets' failure to maintain their lead was historic, being the largest game seven blown lead in 25 years.
- 🤷♂️ Mike Malone, Denver's coach, faced criticism for not making necessary adjustments during the game.
- 🚀 The future outlook for Denver is uncertain, with other Western Conference teams expected to improve, potentially leaving the Nuggets stagnant.
- 💪 Despite the loss, there is a belief that the Nuggets will bounce back, with Nikola Jokić still in his prime and capable of leading the team.
Q & A
What injury did Paul Pierce sustain while working out in the weight room?
-Paul Pierce injured his finger when a weight plate fell on his hand while he was doing a plank with a 45-degree angle.
Did Paul Pierce require sedation during his surgery?
-No, Paul Pierce did not require sedation during his surgery. He mentioned receiving some laughing gas.
How did the Denver Nuggets perform in their home games during the playoff series mentioned in the script?
-The Denver Nuggets lost three home games in the playoff series, which was unexpected given their strong home team performance over the last few years.
What was significant about the game seven mentioned in the script?
-In game seven, the Denver Nuggets were up by at least 20 points at some point, but their offense disappeared, leading to a collapse and a loss.
Who was credited for the Minnesota team's victory in the game seven?
-The victory was attributed to a complete team effort from Minnesota, with key contributions from Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid.
What was the role of Anthony Edwards in the game seven?
-Anthony Edwards, despite having a rough game shooting, played great defense and his aura and leadership influenced the team's performance positively.
What was the largest game seven blown lead in 25 years as mentioned in the script?
-The largest game seven blown lead in 25 years was when the Denver Nuggets gave up a 20-point lead.
How did the commentators view the role players' performance from both Denver and Minnesota?
-The commentators felt that Denver's role players did not show up, while Minnesota's role players like Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid stepped up when needed.
What was the final score of the game before the 10:50 mark of the third quarter?
-The final score before the 10:50 mark of the third quarter was 58-38 in favor of Denver.
What was the reaction to Mike Malone's post-game comments?
-The reaction to Mike Malone's post-game comments was negative, with the commentators suggesting he took a low road and was a sore loser.
Outlines
🏥 Paul Pierce's Injury and Denver's Loss
The segment opens with a discussion on Paul Pierce's recent hand injury sustained in the weight room, which required surgery. Despite the incident, Pierce is determined to continue with his routine. The conversation shifts to the Denver Nuggets' unexpected loss in game seven of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets' inability to maintain a significant lead and the lack of contribution from role players, aside from the team's stars, are highlighted as reasons for their defeat. The Timberwolves' defensive prowess and the Nuggets' offensive collapse in the second half are also discussed.
📊 Denver's Historic Collapse and Minnesota's Resilience
This paragraph delves into the historical context of Denver's loss, marking it as one of the largest blown leads in a game seven in 25 years. The discussion centers on the Nuggets' failure to capitalize on their 20-point lead and the Timberwolves' impressive comeback. The role of Minnesota's defense and the Nuggets' isolation offense in the second half are analyzed. The impact of Anthony Edwards' defense and the contribution of Minnesota's role players, such as Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid, are praised. The paragraph also touches on Denver's potential stagnation compared to the improving teams in the Western Conference.
🎯 Denver's Offensive Struggles and Minnesota's Strategy
The focus here is on Denver's offensive issues, particularly in the third quarter, where they failed to maintain their lead. The strategy employed by Minnesota to limit the Nuggets' star players' assist rates and to dare them to shoot three-pointers is discussed. The paragraph also highlights the Nuggets' lack of contribution from their bench and the importance of having multiple scoring options in the playoffs. The Minnesota Timberwolves' fearless approach and their ability to handle the pressure of playing in Denver's home court are also emphasized.
🏆 Reflections on Denver's Performance and Future Prospects
In this segment, the conversation reflects on the Denver Nuggets' overall performance and their future. The disappointment of their role players' lack of impact is noted, with a particular emphasis on Michael Porter Jr.'s underperformance in the last three games. The potential impact of missing players like Bruce Brown and Jeff Green is considered, and the need for the Nuggets to find an additional scoring option off the bench is discussed. The panelists express differing opinions on whether the Nuggets can maintain their status as championship contenders amidst the improving landscape of the Western Conference.
🤔 Paul Pierce's Controversial Action and Show Recap
The final paragraph wraps up the discussion with a lighter note about Paul Pierce's controversial action of stomping on a jersey, which is clarified to be Nick's rather than Jaylen's. The conversation then shifts to the broader implications of the playoffs and the potential for teams like Dallas, OKC, and Memphis to improve. The segment ends with a prompt for viewers to subscribe for more exclusive content from the show.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Undisputed
💡Paul Pierce
💡Injured finger
💡Weight room
💡Denver Nuggets
💡Game seven
💡Role players
💡X Factor
💡Defensive player of the year
💡Blown lead
💡Mike Malone
Highlights
Paul Pierce discusses his injury and recovery from surgery on his hand.
Debate on the toughness and football, Pierce's injury occurred while working out.
Pierce's humorous interaction about being put under for surgery with laughing gas.
Shock over the Denver Nuggets losing three home games in a playoff series.
Analysis of the Minnesota's strong defense and its impact on the game.
The role of the Denver Nuggets' stars and the lack of contribution from role players.
Rudy Gobert's game-changing shot and its psychological impact on the Denver Nuggets.
The importance of the X-factor in the playoffs and its absence in the Nuggets' game.
Minnesota's team effort and how they overcame a significant point deficit.
Anthony Edwards' performance and his influence on the game despite a poor shooting night.
The Nuggets' failure to maintain their lead and the collapse in the third quarter.
Mike Malone's coaching and the Nuggets' inability to adapt during the game.
The impact of the absence of Bruce Brown and other X-factors from the Nuggets' previous year.
Discussion on the future of the Denver Nuggets and the improvements needed.
Predictions on the upcoming changes in the NBA landscape and the potential rise of young teams.
Paul Pierce's controversial action of stomping on a jersey and the ensuing discussion.
Transcripts
good morning it is time to skip the BS
it's time for Undisputed it's time to
welcome in Paul Pierce wa wait a second
no wheelchair today you're playing hurt
playing hurt man no I'm all right I'm in
the game still so you have an injured
finger I was crushing in the waight room
man crushing in the weight room I was
crushing in the weight room a plate fell
on my hand while I was PL fell on your
hand from where I was doing a plank with
the 45 no nobody can do that really but
you know but true gorillas in the weight
room that is true so and then uh slid
off smashed my hand had to have surgery
but I'm here right early Monday morning
wow you had surgery what did they have
put a p put a p in it in I'm not don't
ask him that question don't ask don't
ask him the question about a p in it or
anything skip the reason I say this is
you know this conversation about
toughness and football and all of that
he had to be sedated to get the surgery
didn't he had to be put underneath
finger smashed open bone came out I
drove myself to the hospital got the
surgery went home did they and drunk a
cup of coffee did they put you under yes
or no did they put you under yes or no
Paul then I'm going go to the weight
room again today why not you w asking me
and get right back in Action did they
put you under yes or no no they didn't
oh so you gave me some laughing juice oh
some laughing juice that's it or gas
laughing gas
oh god well as they like to teus up skip
yeah the different Denver Nuggets you
aren't laughing right now are they no
they're not well we're glad you're back
and we're glad you're okay and we're
glad you're going back to the weight
room today today I'll be back I'm
impressed okay so we had two Road teams
win game sevens yesterday well skipp and
kid I'm in complete shock I never
thought that the Denver Nuggets as good
as a home team as they've been over the
last few years would lose three three
games three games in one playoff series
at home let's start right there Y and
then you have a game seven where you're
up by at least 20 at some point in the
game full control crowd is into it I'm
like oh okay Denver just going to win
and and blowout fashion they're up 15 at
the half and then after that the offense
disappear you know and you say collaps
by Denver but a lot of this is what
Minnesota did being that they were or
are the number one defense in the NBA
all year they have the defensive player
of the year so that played a factor when
you see Denver Nuggets come out and
scored 14 points in the third quarter
yep it's how this Jamal was in the first
half that's how Cody was from three he
shot one for seven now the Stars showed
up to the party but me I say this all
the time you expect your sh stars to
give you star performances in which they
did you know 35 and 34 I'll take that
but when you're role players you need at
least one X Factor on the road when
you're going deep in the playoffs and
they didn't get that look at this would
you believe
that no one outside of Joker no listen
to this Joker and Murray scored damn
near all the points in the second half
let me tell you this look Porter had
three points in the second half and
Braun had two points for the whole whole
second half y you can't win that way
that's it you can't win that way and so
you know yeah it was a collapse but
I'mma take my hat off to Minnesota when
Rudy Gober hit that shot I said it's
over lie to you Rudy go they was up to
sh look they was only up to and I'm
talking about Denver playing as hard as
they can play they only up two and he
does this at the end of shot I'm saying
to myself fading away ripping it cleanly
and that put them up for and I was with
you I said okay that's it that's enough
certain things that happen in the course
of the game when they when you see stuff
like that you like it's oh no they can't
win I don't think I've ever seen him
make a shot like that I don't think a
sure he tries a shot like that off of
one leg with the shot clock winding down
I was like it's over and then from that
point on Minnesota took control Nas Reed
obviously was a big factor McDaniels did
what he had to do 23 points they
decideed they want to double Anthony
Edwards and it and it and it hurt them
so hats off to Minnesota hopefully wait
a second how did it hurt them on Anthony
Edwards well it hurt them that he
distributed to the X factors yeah you
know McDaniels give you 23 klie hits a
huge three in the corner he did he
always hits huge threes and so you know
the guys who stepped up needed to step
up Nas Reed great fourth quarter six Man
of the Year yep and it was just a
complete team effort from Minnesota's
part where I didn't get any anything
from anybody else I not name Murray or
Joker on the other side no yeah no you
you look at it skip they give up
20-point lead right this it is the
largest game seven blown lead in 25
years and you you as Paul said at
halftime they up by 15 but a big third
quarter from Aton knocking down that
three right before they move in the
fourth into the fourth quarter puts him
down by one so at that point the screws
start to tighten against the Denver
and you can kind of see that the stress
factor has started to play right in
there for them defensively Minnesota was
throwing all sorts of bodies at at Joker
at Murray Joker still got his money but
what they did do is they as we've always
talked about all year long what's his
assist rate he gonna get his points but
if you can keep that assist rate down
from them high numbers that we're
accustomed to seeing him get then you
probably are in a good position to win
games he wound up with seven for the
whole game yes seven for the entire game
the Lakers he's like averaging 12 and so
you you cut that thing in half you you
got an opportunity to chance then you
look at the number each each team rolled
out eight bodies on the floor at some
point in time throughout the game y you
talk about Minnesota's bodies every last
body so six of the eight guys with
meaningful minutes were in the double
figure category yeah where I thought
role players Wen supposed to be great on
the road to the NBA standards but the
role players in Jaden McDaniels and
Company and Nas Reed they stepped up to
the plate when anman was struggling and
not necessarily struggling but when
you're throwing two and three B he
literally would touch the football Skip
and not dribble or the basketball either
way basketball yeah basketball and all
of a sudden he you look up it's three
dudes on him he was shooting the
basketball like it was a football go
ahead yeah but you you you know what I'm
saying and then when you look at
Denver's home Road players yeah they
didn't show up did not show two guys and
double figures and both of them were the
stars everybody else is almost like they
forgot how to play basketball at home
you cannot win that way and Minnesota's
been in this building they've won if you
count this game three out of the last
four times that they've been in the
building so the crowd the altitude
didn't it didn't affect them one bit
they were not afraid at all and even
though they were down for a significant
part of that game came they felt and
believed and when the fourth quarter
came they just somehow willed themselves
the victory last seven minutes of that
game just turned it completely turned in
their favor and as the clock started
winding down all I can think about is my
good old friend Mike Malone uhuh who's
your daddy now I'm hey man not my I'm
not gonna go there just yet but in the
end and and I'll say this and I'll say
it right now because I saw cracks in the
foundation throughout the course of the
year for the Denver
Nuggets this could be one of those
situations where everybody else in the
west is getting better Y and Denver is
going to be stuck in neutral because
okay C's young and they're good
Minnesota to the head head guy is Young
and he's good right skip you know the
Lakers aren't going to stay the same the
Clippers will try to figure it out
Golden State's not going to say this
Memphis is getting their guy back so you
could you could go on and who knows what
San Antonio May wind up doing and free
agent Market a trade market so this was
a shot for Denver to to get that second
Championship yeah I don't know that
that's coming anytime soon I am with you
what all right back to Paul's first
point I want to remind
everybody that to your point Denver lost
three home games including a game seven
at home it's crazy and even worse Denver
was up 3 to2 going to Minnesota for for
game six and they lost by 45 points so
they had their shot on the road with all
the momentum only because Joker played
superhuman basketball for three straight
games it was all him all the time Jamal
faded Jamal disappeared Jamal struggled
I don't know if he's injured I don't
know he just looked like about half of
himself over the last four games and
yet when you get it back home to a game
seven I'd pick Denver and seven you had
Denver and seven you think well they'll
suck it up they'll they'll figure it out
the role players will play there'll be
some unknown X Factor hero somebody
somebody somebody and there was nobody
nobody nobody and the shock to me was
once Anthony took Jamal in the third
quarter and he did lock him up in the
third quarter Jamal came back alive a
little bit in the fourth quarter but it
was too late but once he locked him up
their offense degenerated in the third
quarter once they were up 20 it
degenerated into Joker with the ball at
the top of the circle looking around
like it does anybody does does anybody
want it or is anybody going to get open
and then the shot clock's winding down
he's like I don't know I guess I gotta
shoot this yeah and he lost his touch
from three against you guys especially
last year in the Western Conference
finals every time he shot a three he
made it it felt like and just ripped
your heart out because when the
seven-footers out there stroking threes
it's just hard to beat them well last
night he made a couple in the fourth
quarter but all through that run no
rhythm from he had no rhythm and he just
couldn't and it looked like it just
degenerated into is this all we got I
guess so and it looked like he was
shooting them out of desperation like I
I don't know what else to do but throw
this up at the shot clock but the
Minnesota's credit did you notice they
was leaving them open from three they
just said well they dared him after a
while yeah they was like all right look
we'll take the lesser of two evils we're
going to pack the paint in we'll let
Joker shoot the three instead of him
posting us up and giving us all this
footwork jump hook left jump hook right
we'll let them shoot these threes and so
it worked in their benefit because a lot
of those threes was open so that looked
like that was the game plan we'll rather
him shoot those and brick those and come
in here and destroy us in the P that is
correct so it's 1050 left in the third
quarter and Jamal hits a three and it's
58- 38
what would you have bet at that moment
how much would you have bet on Denver
closing the deal seriously bet the house
on that you just bet the
house they're in their house it felt
like Deber was going to walk away with
it just felt it felt that way but then
as they started I understand and and
then back to the point Minnesota had
already won a couple of games that they
they ain't afraid of no ghosts you know
like come on they got you know they can
play with these guys they just beaten
them by 45 and so here they come and
from the 1050 Mark of the third quarter
down to ant-man's three with 307 left in
the game with the were wide open in the
corner
yeah the Run was
54-24 that's at home you you gave up a
30o run yeah
from uh early third quarter to late
fourth you're kidding me I mean that's
just an absolute collapse collapse and
you know is Mike Malone going to take
any blame for this at all I don't know
can you do something can you shake it up
can you put somebody else in can you try
somebody else can you change a play can
you change a defensive coverage I don't
know because they just kept doing what
they've been doing since they won the
championship last year and it did not
work now to Minnesota in the fourth
quarter so Anthony had a rough game
shooting the basketball so in the in the
fourth quarter alone Anthony Edwards
goes one for eight well if I told you
that going into the fourth you'd say
there done you know they're not going to
win the fourth quarter instead everybody
else came to the party everybody came to
the party really every literally
everybody literally every his teammates
in the fourth quarter went eight of 11
and made 12 of 15 free throws that will
work because all of them even um Nas
Reed coming you know Sixth Man of the
Year coming off the bench has eight
points in the fourth quarter yeah every
time I looked up somebody else was
either making a basket or making two
free throws making a play right yep okay
and on the other side to your point they
got nothing from nobody except those two
and those two went pretty quiet through
that 54 to 24 run and so you you just
it's like slow death man you're just the
those fans had to just be sitting there
in horror watching this slowly but sure
I'm sure you were loving it because Mike
Malone has gloated and gloated and we're
going to get to this a little later in
the show but but he had a really kind of
a pissy low road answer to a question a
legit question I wanted to say that
that's why I elaborate on it but but the
point was you know he's a pretty sore
loser after he went along for a great
ride because he had the best player in
the world right for a long time and
Jamal making walk-offs and as long as
that's happening you're you're pretty
good you know and and when you have a
player like Anthony Edwards on the team
although he didn't shoot the ball
extremely well he had some bright
moments and spots at times in the third
quarter obviously that was a big moment
he played great defense
but it's
infectious that his his Aura rubs off it
Chang everything changed life it did
it's a different they all changed right
it's just different you even look at his
post game presser and he got cat sit
next to him does cat talking the talk
now I understand you won the game and
you moving on to the next round but cat
talking that talk like he is all of a
sudden hey like yeah
he up there with the gold and the
earrings and the hat I'm like okay you
know what I like that you're right
because he he wasn't like that before no
but he following his leader though he is
he's empowered now and listen that is
the best game I have ever seen him play
on both ends of the floor because he
goes eight of 14 and he was he had 12
rebounds and he was banging with Joker
and bothering Joker that was the best
adjustment they made putting Carl towns
on you know and so it forced joker now
because how physical that towns was
playing to shoot threes I believe yeah
but this physical plus you can't have
five
points from nobody named Murray or Joker
in the whole second half I don't think
I've ever seen that or heard of that
yeah ever just five points from the rest
of your players in a in a whole second
half of the game okay I mean the biggest
culprate in all of this I believe in the
last three games had to be Michael
Porter you're right I mean he could he
not been a Laker killer man I mean yeah
I thought he played his way a $250
million contract B yeah I mean he gave
you single figures in the last three