Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels has been at the center of multiple instances of drama during the team’s first-round series against the Denver Nuggets.
Following Minnesota’s Game 2 win, McDaniels told the media that he felt the Nuggets were bad on defense, calling out the team’s stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, among others. With just seconds remaining in Saturday’s 112-96 Game 4 win, McDaniels embraced the villain role even more.
With the game seconds away from ending and both teams essentially accepting the result, McDaniels opted to take a wide-open layup. An act that isn’t technically breaking any rules, but is widely discouraged within basketball circles when the game is viewed as over.
The layup resulted in three-time MVP Nikola Jokic charging McDaniels and appearing to shove him out of bounds before being separated by other players and the officials. The altercation led to Jokic and T-Wolves forward Julius Randle getting tossed, with suspensions/ fines possibly in their future.
As for McDaniels, he seemed completely unbothered by the situation after the game.
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When asked what Jokic said to him after, McDaniels told reporters he had no idea what words were exchanged.
“I don’t know what he said to be honest,” McDaniels said. “I just seen someone (charging him) that was big as hell.”
With the win, the Timberwolves took a 3-1 series lead and will have a chance to bounce Jokic and the Nuggets out of the playoffs. The NBA has yet to announce punishments, so Monday’s Game 5 may see both teams missing key players. The one thing we do know, is that things may get testy.
Related: NBA Facing Punishment Decision After Nikola Jokic, Jaden McDaniels Incident