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Timberwolves seize Game 3, McDaniels shuts down Murray.

4/25/2026

22 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

McDaniels Dominates

The Timberwolves beat the Nuggets 113–96 in Game 3, taking a 2-1 series lead.
Jaden McDaniels scored 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, grabbed 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and held Jamal Murray to 5-for-17.
Earlier, McDaniels called the Nuggets “all bad defenders,” then produced the dominant performance.
Minnesota posted 68 paint points to Denver’s 34 while Aaron Gordon’s injury left the Nuggets without a key defender and a 21st-ranked playoff defense.

Summary

Dosunmu Dominates Paint

Nuggets coach David Adelman said Aaron Gordon’s sudden calf-strain injury moved him from probable to out just hours before the game, rattling Adelman.
The Timberwolves’ bench outscored Denver’s reserves while posting double the paint points, giving Minnesota a decisive edge.
Ayo Dosunmu scored 30 of Minnesota’s 68 paint points, shooting 10-for-12 on two-pointers and adding nine assists.

Summary

**McDaniels Dunk**

The NBA’s official account shared McDaniels’ emphatic dunk, which fans called a “statement” and generated thousands of likes and retweets.
Denver guard Cam Johnson told media to let the Wolves speak, urging his team to ignore the provocation.
Nikola Jokic scored 27 points on 26 field-goal attempts and made all 11 free throws, highlighting his reliance on the charity stripe.

Summary

McDaniels Motivated

Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels said playing in Denver fuels his motivation and drives his performance.
Minnesota reserve Naz Reid told reporters that McDaniels’ defender criticisms are a personal way to stay focused, which was posted on Bluesky on 4/21/2026.
Nuggets head coach David Adelman joked about tuning into a future McDaniels podcast while noting Denver’s defensive rating of 109, the sixth-best in the playoffs.

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McDaniels Dominates

The Timberwolves beat the Nuggets 113–96 in Game 3, taking a 2-1 series lead.
Jaden McDaniels scored 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, grabbed 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and held Jamal Murray to 5-for-17.
Earlier, McDaniels called the Nuggets “all bad defenders,” then produced the dominant performance.
Minnesota posted 68 paint points to Denver’s 34 while Aaron Gordon’s injury left the Nuggets without a key defender and a 21st-ranked playoff defense.

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