 |  |  |
Despite more injuries to the backcourt, the upset is complete as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 100-98 last night to take the Western Conference first-round series in six games.
Things appeared bleak for the Timberwolves about two hours before the game when former Illini Ayo Dosunmu, who was averaging 21.8 points per game this series, was announced out with a calf injury, as was forward Kyle Anderson (illness). Down to eight players for Game Six, Minnesota had already lost starting guards Donte DiVicenzo and Anthony Edwards for the series due to injuries sustained during Game Four.
With Donsumnu out, fellow Illinois alum Terrence Shannon Jr. stepped into the starting lineup, getting off to a fast start, with 12 points in the first half. For the game, Shannon Jr. finished with 24 points on 9-for-20 from the field and added 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist in 35 minutes. Shannon did not even play in the first three games of the series.
The Timberwolves were led by Jaden McDaniels' 32 points and 10 rebounds. Minnesota will now play the 2-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the second round.
What a series it was for the former Illini Dosunumu and Shannon as the 6-seeded Timberwolves ended the season of the 3-seeded Nuggets, a franchise that has had three straight disappointing playoff losses after winning the NBA Finals in 2023.
After scoring 25 points in a Game Three victory, Dosunmu scored 43 points in Game Four, 27 of which came in the second half with DiVicenzo and Edwards out. Shannon saw his first action of the series in Game Four, scoring 3 points in 7 minutes, and then added 15 points in 14 minutes during a loss in Game Five before tonight's big performance.
Here are the highlights from Game 6, including Shannon's excellent performance.
Things appeared bleak for the Timberwolves about two hours before the game when former Illini Ayo Dosunmu, who was averaging 21.8 points per game this series, was announced out with a calf injury, as was forward Kyle Anderson (illness). Down to eight players for Game Six, Minnesota had already lost starting guards Donte DiVicenzo and Anthony Edwards for the series due to injuries sustained during Game Four.
With Donsumnu out, fellow Illinois alum Terrence Shannon Jr. stepped into the starting lineup, getting off to a fast start, with 12 points in the first half. For the game, Shannon Jr. finished with 24 points on 9-for-20 from the field and added 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist in 35 minutes. Shannon did not even play in the first three games of the series.
The Timberwolves were led by Jaden McDaniels' 32 points and 10 rebounds. Minnesota will now play the 2-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the second round.
What a series it was for the former Illini Dosunumu and Shannon as the 6-seeded Timberwolves ended the season of the 3-seeded Nuggets, a franchise that has had three straight disappointing playoff losses after winning the NBA Finals in 2023.
After scoring 25 points in a Game Three victory, Dosunmu scored 43 points in Game Four, 27 of which came in the second half with DiVicenzo and Edwards out. Shannon saw his first action of the series in Game Four, scoring 3 points in 7 minutes, and then added 15 points in 14 minutes during a loss in Game Five before tonight's big performance.
Here are the highlights from Game 6, including Shannon's excellent performance.
| | |
RSS Feed