MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 When exactly the Nuggets\u2019 fight showed up is a point of contention.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe competitive spirit question bothers me, because I thought we were extremely competitive at the start of the game,\u201d Nuggets coach David Adelman said after his team fell into a 3-1 hole to the Timberwolves at the Target Center on Saturday night. \u201cI thought we got into them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The most obvious display of fight came when the game was already decided. Nuggets star Nikola Jokic took offense after Jaden McDaniels scored an unnecessary basket with 1.3 seconds left to cap the scoring at 112-96. The expectation was McDaniels would let the clock run out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t like what McDaniels did. The game was over. The game was conceded both ways,\u201d Adelman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2026, that stuff just doesn\u2019t happen anymore. That\u2019s something that happens in the \u201980s where teams continue to score, but that\u2019s who he is. If that\u2019s what they want to do, that\u2019s what they want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jokic ran from the other side of the court to confront McDaniels, who responded by grabbing two hands full of Jokic\u2019s jersey. Players from both teams joined the fracas before team security got the sides separated. Jokic and Timberwolves forward Julius Randle were ejected for their involvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe scored when everybody stopped playing,\u201d Jokic explained his frustration.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jokic went on to say he had no regrets over his reaction. Adelman didn\u2019t anticipate any suspensions even though it appeared Aaron Gordon and Jonas Valanciunas left Denver\u2019s bench. A few members of the Timberwolves also left the sideline to join the scrum right in front of the Minnesota bench.<\/p>\n
Adelman liked his team\u2019s fight in the first half when Denver led by as many as seven. In the second half, Denver shot 24.3% from the field and 15.4% from 3-point range. Jokic went 1 of 10 from the field after halftime.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we were very competitive tonight. I think it\u2019s hilarious that the narrative is offense doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Adelman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought our guys played their ass off throughout that first half. I thought they maintained a physicality about them \u2026 The competitive spirit question bothers me, because I thought we were extremely competitive at the start of the game. I thought we got into them.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Denver scored 31 points in the second quarter, there wasn\u2019t much offense. Denver scored 42 points after halftime.<\/p>\n
A couple of minutes into the first quarter, Minnesota lost starting guard Donte DiVincenzo to a torn right Achilles tendon that will end his season, according to ESPN. In the second quarter, Anthony Edwards landed awkwardly on his left knee and was ruled out for the remainder of the game in the third quarter.<\/p>\n
With the Timberwolves starting backcourt sidelined, Ayo Dosunmu picked up the scoring load. The Timberwolves\u2019 acquisition at the trade deadline received \u201cM-V-P\u201d chants in the third quarter and needed just 17 shots to finish with 43 points. He made all five of his 3-point attempts.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou give Dosunmu a ton of credit. He had the game of his life,\u201d Adelman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had a crazy night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jamal Murray had a chance to get into a rhythm when McDaniels picked up his third foul with more than nine minutes left in the second quarter. He led Denver with 30 points on 25 shots. Jokic needed 22 shots to score 24 points and added 15 rebounds and nine assists.<\/p>\n
Aaron Gordon returned to Denver\u2019s starting lineup but didn\u2019t appear to be fully himself. He scored nine points on 11 shots in 23 minutes. Adelman said he didn\u2019t feel like it was fair to play Gordon anymore when he was obviously laboring. Adelman said there will be conversations with Gordon and the medical staff before determining a course of action for Game 5.<\/p>\n
One thing that\u2019s not up for debate is Denver\u2019s need for a more sustained fight Monday at Ball Arena to continue its season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what the team feels. I know what they felt before the game. The narrative doesn\u2019t matter to me. I know the feeling of the group,\u201d Adelman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to win Game 5.\u201d<\/p>\n
NUGGETS 112, TIMBERWOLVES 96<\/p>\n
What happened: Denver led by a point after the first quarter and owned a 54-50 lead at halftime. Minnesota led by four after the third quarter and never trailed in the fourth.<\/p>\n
What went right: The Nuggets outscored the Timberwolves 15-8 in fast-break points.<\/p>\n
What went wrong: Minnesota finished with a 54-42 advantage in points in the paint.<\/p>\n
Highlight of the night: Jamal Murray blocked Rudy Gobert at the rim, and Bruce Brown finished a layup on the other end in the first half.<\/p>\n
Up next: The series returns to Denver for Game 5, an 8:30 p.m. start at Ball Arena.<\/p>\n
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