The Nuggets leveled the playing field in their second-round series against the Timberwolves with a 115-107 victory in Game 4 on Sunday night in Minnesota. They now aim to seize control of the series as it returns to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday night.
Initially, the defending champions appeared to be struggling after dropping the first two games at home. However, Nikola Jokić and his teammates regained their dominant form in Minnesota.
Following the game, Jokić shared a noteworthy moment with his teammate Aaron Gordon. The three-time MVP joined Gordon’s press conference and listened as Gordon expressed how much of an influence Jokić has had on him, both on and off the court.
This was pretty great:
Fans loved seeing that:
During their journey to clinch the NBA title last season, the Denver Nuggets displayed remarkable dominance, securing victory in 16 out of their 20 playoff matches with little opposition. However, there was a moment of pressure when they faced a defeat at their home court, Ball Arena, against the Miami Heat in the finals, urging them to perform on the road.
Their response was nothing short of impressive, winning Games 3 and 4 in Miami and ultimately sealing the title in just five games.
Although each playoff series presents its own unique challenges, Nuggets veteran DeAndre Jordan reminded his teammates last week of their past success on the road. The players acknowledged this, understanding the importance of replicating their previous achievements, particularly as they faced the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.
Unlike the luxury of their previous NBA Finals, where two wins sufficed, the Nuggets knew they needed to secure victories in both games to progress. Despite the pressure, their confidence stemmed from their prior experience, knowing they had the capability to overcome such hurdles.