20/05/2024
342 times read
20/05/2024
342 times read
DENVER, May 20, (AP): Anthony Edwards overcame a slow start and the Timberwolves roared back from a 20-point second-half deficit to eliminate the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets 98-90 in a Game 7 Minnesota masterpiece.
The Timberwolves overcame a 15-point halftime deficit - the largest comeback in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history - behind Edwards, who had just four points, no rebounds, and three assists at halftime but finished with 16 points, eight boards, and seven assists.
His impact belied his 6-of-24 shooting that included a 2-for-10 3-point performance.
As the seconds ticked away, Edwards dribbled the ball upcourt and took time to wave goodbye to the crowd.
The Wolves, who got 23 points each from Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels, advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time in exactly 20 years. They’ll face the Dallas Mavericks beginning Wednesday night at Target Center.
The Pacers made 29 of their 38 shots in the first half, a shooting percentage of 76.3% that was the highest in the postseason since 1997 when the NBA began keeping detailed play-by-play for all four quarters. They led 70-55 at that point and pulled away every time the Knicks tried to make a run in the second half.
The No. 6-seeded Pacers set an NBA playoff record by finishing at 67.1% for the game and advanced to face top-seeded Boston in a series that begins Tuesday. Indiana last reached the conference finals in 2014, losing to Miami.
Jalen Brunson left in the second half with a broken left hand, one final injury for a Knicks team that was decimated by them.