In Game 6 of the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals, the Timberwolves were down 3-2 against the reigning champions and had their backs against the wall. Minnesota’s reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
It didn’t take long for things to get nasty in Minneapolis, as the Timberwolves took a 31-14 lead in the first quarter after an early 27-2 surge. Minnesota never really looked back, outscoring Denver in each quarter, including the game-ending final period by a score of 29-9, to force Game 7 with a 115-70 victory.
The reigning champs had a memorable night, as evidenced by their 45-point loss. A closer examination of the box score further reveals the nature of the blowout.
These are a few of Minnesota’s more striking stats from their Game 6 triumph.
Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Game 6 stats
| Timberwolves | Nuggets | |
| Points | 115 | 70 |
| Bench points | 36 | 9 |
| Field goals | 40-86 (46.5%) | 26-86 (30.2%) |
| 3-point field goals | 15-40 (37.5%) | 7-36 (19.4%) |
| Free throws | 20-24 (83.3%) | 11-14 (78.6%) |
| Rebounds | 62 | 43 |
| Assists | 26 | 18 |
| Turnovers | 6 (3 points off) | 12 (19 points off) |
When examining the stat comparison, the disparity in offensive performance is immediately apparent.
On a poor shooting night, MVP Nikola Jokic was the most productive player for Denver. Jokic ended with 22 points on 9 of 19 (47.3 percent) field goals, while the Nuggets’ other players only made 17 of 67 (25.4 percent) shots.
Individual statistics
The box score showed a team-worst minus-32 for Jamal Murray, who only managed 10 points on 4-of-18 (22.2 percent) shooting, and Nikola Jokic was limited to only two assists. For the first time in this year’s postseason, he has been recorded with fewer than seven assists.
On Minnesota’s end, Jaden McDaniels scored 21 points on 8 of 10 shots, while Anthony Edwards led the way with 27 points on 8 of 17 shots. In the 2024 playoffs, it was only his second 20-point performance.
With Edwards and McDaniels at the forefront, Wolves big players Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns pulled down 27 rebounds in addition to scoring 18 points on 18 shots. The three of them, including Naz Reid, have 38 rebounds, which is nearly equal to Denver’s team total of 43.
Combined with their aggressive rebounding and tough defense, Minnesota won one of the most lopsided games in NBA Playoff history. Here is a historical perspective on the Wolves’ victory in Game 6.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets: Based on the stats,
- the Timberwolves’ 45-point win margin ranks ninth in NBA Playoff history.
- 39 points is the biggest playoff loss margin for a future champion (2021 Bucks, 2022 Warriors).
- The next worst playoff loss margin for a reigning champion is 36 points (Spurs 113, Heat 77, 2013).
- Since January 29, 2015, the Nuggets have scored the fewest points (70) since then.
- NBA teams haven’t scored 70 points or less since November 14, 2018 (Jazz, 68 points).
- April 19, 2016 was the last time an NBA team scored 70 points or less in a playoff game (Grizzlies, 68 points).
