Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels: Nuggets are all bad defenders

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Sam Amico | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 5:31 AM ET

The Timberwolves did not just bounce back in Denver. They talked a little, too.

“Go at them,” Jaden McDaniels told reporters of the game plan. “The whole team. Yeah, they’re all bad defenders.”

That about sums up the mindset.

Minnesota fell behind by 19 and still walked out with a 119-114 win, evening the series and flipping homecourt in the process. This was less about the final score and more about how it happened.

Anthony Edwards set the tone with 30 points, looking far more aggressive than he did in Game 1. He attacked the rim, played downhill and never let the early deficit stick.

Julius Randle added 24 and delivered late, knocking down key free throws to help seal it.

Jaden McDaniels: We go at Jokic, go at Jamal, all the bad defenders. Tim Hardaway, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, their whole team.

Reporter: They’re all bad defenders?

Jaden McDaniels: Yeah…. they’re all bad defenders.

pic.twitter.com/CmSDeIjOKc

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) April 21, 2026

Denver had control early. Then it slipped. A big first quarter turned into an even bigger response from Minnesota, and suddenly the game was on.

Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Jamal Murray scored 30, including a deep buzzer-beater at halftime. It looked like enough.

It wasn’t. The Nuggets went cold late. Their stars combined to shoot 2-for-12 in the fourth. Minnesota stayed aggressive, kept attacking, and made the plays that mattered.

Coach Chris Finch pointed to Edwards’ approach as the difference. More force, more pressure, more intent. The Wolves followed his lead.

Now the series heads to Minneapolis tied at one.

The message from Minnesota is simple. They are not backing off.

This article first appeared on Hoops Wire and was syndicated with permission.

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