The Minnesota Timberwolves secured the final 2023 NBA playoffs spot in the Western Conference with a convincing 120-95 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the play-in tournament. The Timberwolves relied on their size advantage, with Rudy Gobert returning from suspension to pair up with Karl-Anthony Towns and dominate the paint.
Gobert finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Towns contributed 28 points and 11 rebounds. The Timberwolves outscored the Thunder 58-30 in the paint and will now face the top-seeded Denver Nuggets in a best-of-seven series starting on Sunday night.
The victory was all the more impressive considering the Timberwolves were without their best defender, Jaden McDaniels, who was out with a broken hand. Nickiel Alexander-Walker stepped up to guard his cousin, the Thunder’s top scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and played a key role in limiting him to just 22 points on 5-for-19 shooting.
How did the fans react after Timberwolves secured the 2023 NBA playoffs?
Minnesota fans went berserk on Twitter after finally getting what they wanted and seeing their team cross the lines and into to 2023 NBA playoffs! The tweets of the fans were a mixture of humor, love, and appreciation toward their team. Here are some notable examples-
— Jailen (@jailen_bhakta) April 15, 2023
LETS WIN ON SUNDAY IN DENVER pic.twitter.com/BwGPPD4RZ8
— ✈ (@JJETSFAN) April 15, 2023
KAT against Jokic pic.twitter.com/GqetP8rsXI
— E̴d̴w̴i̴n̴ (@KeneTouchdown) April 15, 2023
The Timberwolves were determined to end their season on a high note after a difficult campaign that included injuries and off-court issues. Gobert had been suspended for swinging at teammate Kyle Anderson, but he returned to make a significant impact and help the Timberwolves secure the final playoff spot.
The victory was also a testament to the team’s resilience, as they had lost their previous game in overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers. This time, they blended their inside and outside shots more effectively and moved the ball constantly to create opportunities.
Wolves coach Chris Finch praised his team’s effort and focus, saying, “The guys were super locked-in. They knew what it was going to take.” The Timberwolves will now face a tough challenge in the top-seeded Nuggets, but Gobert believes they have what it takes to compete. “We know if we play the right way, there’s not a team in the league that we can’t beat,” he said.
Playoff Preview: Timberwolves vs Nuggets – Can Minnesota Upset Denver’s Heliocentric Offense?
In Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves will face the top-seeded Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The teams split their regular-season series, with the Nuggets winning the most recent matchup by 34 points in February.
However, the Nuggets will have had a week without a game to prepare for their first-round opponent. Denver coach Michael Malone expressed confidence in his team’s ability to perform well in the playoffs, citing their clutch defense and strong record against top teams.
Three key things to watch for in the matchup are the battle in the paint between Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert and Denver’s Nikola Jokic, the clash of power forwards between Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Denver’s Aaron Gordon, and the matchup between Timberwolves’ veteran point guard Mike Conley and Denver’s Jamal Murray.
The X factor in this series may be Nuggets sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr., who is expected to be guarded by Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Timberwolves. Alexander-Walker performed well in the Play-In Tournament and will need to continue that level of play to contain Porter’s 3-point shooting.
Finally, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic had a historic season with the highest true shooting percentage in NBA history for a player who averaged at least 20 points per game. While his scoring numbers were down from last season, Jokic’s passing ability and the team’s offensive efficiency make the Nuggets a formidable opponent.
Regular Season Results:-
Jan. 2: Timberwolves 124, Nuggets 111
Jan. 18: Nuggets 122, Timberwolves 118
Feb. 5: Timberwolves 128, Nuggets 98
Feb. 7: Nuggets 146, Timberwolves 112
