The Denver Nuggets dominated Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves from start to finish. The result was a 27-point blowout, 117-90, win on the road that may have saved their season. After dropping the first two games of the series at home, the Denver Nuggets were faced with a must-win game in a hostile, frenzied environment at the Target Center in Minneapolis. They were prepared from the jump.
How will this game impact the rest of the series?
Denver Nuggets Find Their Championship Mettle
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The Denver Nuggets came out on a mission Friday night. Head coach Mike Malone demanded as much, wanting them to ‘force the issue’ all night. They did just that, getting to the free throw line twenty times on the night. The battle-tested 2023 champions hit 17 of those attempts, shooting an impressive 85% from the charity stripe. It was the most complete game they have played in the 2024 playoffs thus far.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward, Karl-Anthony Towns, said Denver gave Minnesota a wake-up call:
“I think this is a great humbling experience for us and the defending champions definitely gave us that experience and it’s going to make us hungrier. I think it’s going to make us a better team.”
All five Denver Nuggets starters scored in double-figures, led by their three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who had 24 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and three blocks. Jokic took over in the third quarter, scoring 13 of his team-leading 24 points in the frame. Denver Nuggets starters Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon scored 21 and 13 points, respectively. Jamal Murray also redeemed himself after a terrible game two with 24 points of his own.
Denver Nuggets All-Star Guard Murray Bounces Back
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Malone challenged his guys to act and play like the defending champions. Perhaps that was partially a shot at their all-star guard, Murray, who was fined $100,000 after Game 2 for throwing a heating pack on the floor in frustration. Murray went 3-for-18 in a dismal game 2 performance. Malone’s message resonated.
Murray came out of the gate firing in game 3, delivering 18 of his 24 points in the first half. He was the catalyst in Denver building a twenty-point lead by the midway mark of the second quarter. The game was never in doubt from then on. Coach Malone challenged his team to be more aggressive, and Murray in particular, took the message to heart.
Murray Embraces ‘Villain-Role,’ Sets The Tone For Denver
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A relentless Minnesota crowd was booing Murray from the first time they caught a glimpse of him in pre-game warmups. And they didn’t stop until the game was out of reach in the fourth quarter. Murray relished the hostility he was facing. The villain role fit him like a glove.
“He does kind of relish those moments where he’s a bad guy,” Malone said. “To me, that beginning of the game, you’re in hostile territory, and that’s kind where you separate the men from the boys.”
Murray confirmed as much with his postgame comments:
“That definitely fueled me during the game and just keeps me in that mode. So it’s fun. I embrace that challenge. I embrace that moment. I probably deserved the boos, so I’m not shying away from it.”
About The Author
Colton is a Hollywood screenwriter turned sports columnist. Originally from the suburbs of Detroit, he is a Michigan State University grad who spent fifteen years in Los Angeles after receiving a Bachelor’s in Journalism from MSU. An award-winning filmmaker with multiple projects still in development, Colton is currently co-authoring a biography, “The Boy from the Bronx,” with renowned businessman, Michael Weisser.
Eric is a recent and welcome addition to Total Apex Sports. He’s a highly knowledgeable and respected voice in the sports community, both in Michigan and nationally. Eric Colton resides in New York City with his wife and two daughters.
