Denver Nuggets Coach Shares Strong Reaction to Russell Westbrook After Guard's Crucial Blunders in Loss to Timberwolves 1 Apr 1, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Denver Nuggets Coach Shares Strong Reaction to Russell Westbrook After Guard’s Crucial Blunders in Loss to Timberwolves

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 8:01 AM ET

The Denver Nuggets were so close to wrapping up Tuesday night’s marathon of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at home with a win. The Nuggets were precariously ahead by a point with under 20 seconds remaining in the second overtime and with the visitors in possession of the leather.

Denver point guard Russell Westbrook stole the ball shortly after the Timberwolves made an inbound pass but the former NBA Most Valuable Player missed a layup in transition, giving Minnesota another chance to take the lead.

But Westbrook made yet another blunder when he fouled Timberwolves shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker on a shot taken from behind the arc with just under a second left on the clock. Alexander-Walker ended up making two of three attempts from the foul line to hand the Nuggets a 140-139 triumph in Mile High City, thus sweeping a four-game regular-season series as well against the Nuggets.

Michael Malone speaks up about Westbrook after Denver Nuggets’ loss to Minnesota

Despite his crucial errors, Westbrook received nothing but good words from Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.

Via Bennett Durando of The Denver Post:

“He’s a guy that hates to lose. … He’s a perfectionist and he’s a competitor,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “And knowing Russ the way I do, he’s probably gonna put a lot of this on him. But we lost tonight. The Denver Nuggets. We, as a collective group, lost that game tonight. Not one player.”

Westbrook was among those expected to step up for the Nuggets against the Timberwolves, with Jamal Murray ruled out ahead of the contest due to an injury.

The future Basketball Hall of Famer finished with 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds to go with a pair of blocks and a steal in 38 minutes of action. He shot 4-for-13 from the field and missed all his three attempts from deep while turning the ball over five times in 38 minutes, but Westbrook should continue to serve a notable role for the Nuggets.

On the season, Westbrook is averaging 13.1 points, 6.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the field.

Denver Nuggets Coach Shares Strong Reaction to Russell Westbrook After Guard's Crucial Blunders in Loss to Timberwolves 2 Apr 1, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as guard Christian Braun (0) screens against Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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