This series has been over twice.
First, the Minnesota Timberwolves completely discombobulated the typically unflappable Nikola Jokic offense in their winning the first two games of the series. Quickly and rather unexpectedly, the Denver Nuggets appeared to be going out as defending champions with the whimper of a heat pack flying across the floor. The best way to describe what occurred in Game 2 was the Wolves punked the Nuggets.
But then Jokic received his third MVP in four seasons on an off-day and the Nuggets traveled to Minnesota and won the next two games on the road, followed by an unstoppable display in Game 5. The Nuggets were unhurried again on offense, finding their comfort level and disrupting Anthony Edwards’ attack with double teams on the other side of the floor. The series was over again, except in the opposite direction.
Jokic came out in Game 6 more purposeful and aggressive than usual with a clear mission to end the series in Minnesota at all costs despite them having the luxury of an extra game to work with. But the Wolves withstood the initial 9-2 deficit by barraging the Nuggets with a 20-0 run that set the tone for the game that was later punctuated by a 24-0 run in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets unearthed a solution to the Wolves only to be suffocated all over again.
Now, this turbulent series that has been thrilling and surprising, but also meandering on a game-by-game basis, gets a Game 7. This has been an instant classic series without an instant classic game.
The Nuggets are attempting to survive the crucible of the conference semifinals, becoming the first defending champion to reach the NBA’s final four since the Golden State Warriors in 2019. The Nuggets really showed up during their two regular season games against the Boston Celtics this season, but they have otherwise largely had the attitude that all they have to do to repeat is show up relatively healthy. Jokic has had to care and exert a level of visible effort and problem-solving with his sense of desperation being in stark contrast to his typically zen mind. Jokic’s celebrity is a no-fuss humbleness, but this series has been humbling in a way we haven’t witnessed him experience to date.
On the Minnesota end, they have an ascendent 22-year-old ahead of schedule without a ceiling on what he can accomplish, yet also potentially have a quickly closing window on this iteration of the team based on how expensive their payroll and luxury-tax obligations project to be. There is urgency in both directions. Title windows are always more fleeting than they feel in the moment. Edwards is special enough to defy any challenge. These playoffs have established that Edwards is a generational blend of two-way explosion and control on the court, as well as joy and ruthlessness as a competitor and leader.
The conference semifinals cannot match the immediacy of the stakes inherently contained in the conference finals as teams are literally on the verge of the NBA Finals, but they are notable for how frequently they can swing a title and establish either the start or end of something. There is a haphazard and confounding feel to some of the games during this round as they are usually part of a doubleheader. The colossal moments are a little bit more crowded. We witness the end of one game and immediately go to the tip of the next, or the final buzzer is well after midnight. There is still so much more to unfold with the winning team still needing eight more wins to raise the Larry O’Brien trophy.
We eagerly speculate that the Brooklyn Nets would have won the title in 2021 if Kevin Durant’s toe wasn’t on the line in Game 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Kawhi Leonard’s game-winner against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019 led to a one-and-done title for the Toronto Raptors and the exit of Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat shortly thereafter.
Here is a sampling of conference semifinal series over the past 20 years that delivered extraordinary excitement, stakes or both the way this one has:
In this era, the NBA moves more quickly than ever before, but we now have an expectation that the Nuggets, Wolves, Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder will be four of the top five to seven teams in the league every season for at least the next three to four years. Their superstars either have prime to spare looking ahead, or are just now approaching it, and they are each very settled in their situations. One of these teams could go on a multi-championship run. The NBA has successfully tried to legislate parity into the game and any multi-championship run in this era will be even more precarious than those in the past.
If champions repeat, we want to see them tested like this. If they’re taken down, it has to be in this way by a worthy foe rather than crumbling under the weight of a restrictive second apron.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
The Sixers are waiving Ricky Council IV, the team announced in a press release. Council signed a four-year, partially guaranteed deal with the Sixers in 2024, which contained a team option for the 2026-27 season. Last season, he averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.1 minutes per night — all career-high numbers. Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports notes that the timing of the move was unexpected, given that Council’s guarantee date is on Jan. 10, 2026, and the team currently has an open roster spot if they need it to add restricted free agent Quentin Grimes. While Council struggled with his three-point shot last season, he emerged as a reliable depth contributor, playing a team-high 73 games while bringing athleticism and energy from the wing positions.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are still looking for a solution to their bottom-six surplus, and veteran forward Calle Jarnkrok remains at the center of trade discussions. However, according to The Fourth Period, trade talks surrounding the 33-year-old winger have failed to gain momentum. They write: “He has a $2.1M cap hit and owns a 10-team no-trade list. The market hasn’t been vibrant, to this point, but the Leafs will continue to dangle him.” Why can’t the Maple Leafs find a taker for Jarnkrok? Jarnkrok has quietly been on the trade block for much of the offseason, but general manager Brad Treliving has yet to find a taker. After adding several depth forwards this summer, the Leafs now face a crowded bottom six — and Jarnkrok’s age, injury history and $2.1M cap hit through 2025–26 aren’t helping his value. Since joining Toronto, Jarnkrok has appeared in only 71 games over two seasons, scoring a modest 28 points. While his defensive versatility and penalty-killing ability are assets, his declining offensive production and durability concerns have made teams wary. With training camp approaching, the Maple Leafs may be forced to keep Jarnkrok on the roster — or retain salary in a deal — if they want to create space and flexibility. Dropping his cap hit down to just over $1M would open up the market a little. Until then, the Swedish forward remains a trade candidate in limbo. This isn’t great news as moving Jarnkrok from the roster is an important item on the team’s to-do list. Treliving would like more cap space, and with Jarnkrok and David Kampf both still on the roster, it hampers the GM’s ability to do other things.
There is not a bigger sporting event in North America than the Super Bowl, and tickets are only getting more expensive every year. There is also a ridiculous secondary market for tickets where seats sell for well above the original face value. It is usually fans or ticket resellers going for a quick profit. But as was reported on Friday, sometimes it can be players in the NFL looking to make a profit. According to multiple reports, including the Associated Press and ESPN, more than 100 players are facing fines and potential suspensions for selling their allotment of tickets to this year's Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs for above face value. Players are reportedly facing fines of one-and-a-half times the face value they originally paid for the tickets, while they are also prevented from purchasing tickets to the Super Bowl for the next seasons. The Associated Press obtained a memo from the NFL detailing the violation and investigation. That memo was as follows: “Our initial investigation has determined that a number of NFL players and coaches, employed by several NFL Clubs, sold Super Bowl tickets for more than the ticket’s face value in violation of the Policy. This long-standing League Policy, which is specifically incorporated into the Collective Bargaining Agreement, prohibits League or Club employees, including players, from selling NFL game tickets acquired from their employer for more than the ticket’s face value or for an amount greater than the employee originally paid for the ticket, whichever is less. We are in the process of completing our investigation into this matter, but the investigation has revealed that club employees and players sold their tickets to a small number of ‘bundlers’ who were working with a ticket reseller to sell the Super Bowl tickets above face value.” If players are not willing to pay the fine, they could be facing suspension from the league. It seems unlikely that any of the players — none of whom have been named, or their teams — would refuse to pay such a fine. It's also one of those moments where you can say, professional athletes — they're still normal people trying to make a quick buck. The most logical answer here is perhaps some of the players caught up in this are younger players who have not yet struck it rich on a big contract or perhaps even practice squad players who are not making top dollar.
The Boston Bruins are gauging trade interest in forward Pavel Zacha, according to The Fourth Period. Following a down season and a trade deadline where Zacha’s name was thrown around but was ultimately not moved, Bruins GM Don Sweeney is trying to move the 27-year-old Czech center. Zacha is playing in the final season of a contract that has a $4.75 million cap hit. Zacha, acquired from the New Jersey Devils in 2022 for Erik Haula, has been a solid pickup for Boston. He posted 21 goals and 57 points in 78 games in 2023-24, though his production dipped slightly to 47 points over a full 82-game slate last season. He can play up and down the lineup and has a strong two-way game. Who Has Shown Interest in a Zacha Trade? Two teams reportedly monitoring Zacha are the Vancouver Canucks and the Utah Hockey Club. Both teams are seeking top-six forward depth and would value Zacha’s steady offensive contributions. The Canucks have been busy all summer, signing and trading players. They have also been linked to Jack Roslovic talks in free agency, meaning they wouldn’t be adding both. Utah has been looking to make a splash this season and work their way up the standings in an attempt to compete for the playoffs. The Bruins would likely demand a notable return, but neither team is looking to send players back. The trade would likely involve a high pick or a mid-tier prospect. Zacha controls part of the process with an eight-team no-trade list. He’s owed just $3.75 million in actual salary each of the next two seasons, further boosting his trade appeal.