Nuggets vs. Timberwolves: Tensions Rise in Game 4

As the Nuggets seemed to ease off their defense, Jaden McDaniels took advantage in a rather unexpected way.

In Game 4 on Saturday, with the Timberwolves ahead 110-96, McDaniels scored an uncontested layup just as time was about to run out, which stirred up frustration in Nikola Jokic. He quickly darted across the court to confront McDaniels, pushing him toward the Minnesota bench.

A skirmish broke out after McDaniels grabbed Jokic’s jersey. “I have no regrets, because I scored the goal after everyone had stopped playing,” Jokic remarked to reporters following the game. Denver’s coach, David Adelman, shared a similar perspective, noting that his team now finds themselves down 3-1 in the first-round series.

“I didn’t like what McDaniels did,” Adelman expressed. “The game is over. The game is a goal conceded. In 2026, that won’t happen anymore. It used to happen in the 80s when teams kept scoring. But that’s who he is.”

Ultimately, both Jokic and Julius Randle—who had also been involved in the scuffle—were ejected with just 1.3 seconds left on the clock.

“The clock is still running, so we’re going to go score,” said McDaniels after the game.

This kind of altercation isn’t new for McDaniels; earlier in the series, he labeled several Nuggets players, including Jokic, as “bad defenders” after their Game 2 victory.

The Timberwolves’ lead in Game 4 was bolstered by Ayo Dosunmu’s impressive 43 points off the bench. However, they will be without Anthony Edwards for several weeks due to a knee injury sustained during the game, although reports indicated he avoided ligament damage but faces a bone bruise and hyperextension.

Minnesota also dealt a significant blow, losing Donte DiVincenzo for the rest of the series and season because of a torn Achilles tendon. On the other hand, Denver was grappling with injury concerns of their own, with Aaron Gordon hampered by a calf issue and Peyton Watson sidelined due to a hamstring strain.