Will the Timberwolves' vibes pull them through to the next round? Or will the Nuggets' experience prove the deciding factor of Game 7? (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
This Game 7 between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets could be an all-timer. Not only is it the deciding game in a hotly contested series between two incredibly talented teams, the storylines surrounding this matchup have made it even more compelling.
The Nuggets are a machine. This is the sixth consecutive year they've made it to the playoffs, and they're the defending champions. The duo of Jamal Murray and three-time MVP Nikola Jokić is borderline unstoppable. As a franchise they're 4-3 in Game 7's, but this core group of players is 3-1. They've got the experience and the talent.
But don't look now, the Timberwolves are coming. They've made the playoff three years in a row. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are coming into their own. The vibes are impeccable. They've even made Rudy Gobert likable!
That alone might not be enough for them to overcome the Nuggets, but the Timberwolves have one other thing on their side for Game 7: history. Sunday is the 20th anniversary of Minnesota's 83-80 Game 7 win over the Sacramento Kings in the second round, in which birthday boy Kevin Garnett scored 32 points with 21 rebounds, five blocks, and four steals.
Will a Timberwolves player turn in a KG-esque performance that will lift them over the Nuggets? Or will the experience of Jokić and Co. end Minnesota's run? Follow all the Game 7 action below.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER32 updates
Yahoo Sports Staff
Wolves win 98-90. There wasn't even any drama, and Ant didn't even play well
Yahoo Sports Staff
And that's it. Minnesota will win Game 7 on the road. Wow.
Vincent Goodwill
Rudy’s out, Karl has 5 fouls and the champs had better go through the MVP if they want any chance of pulling this off.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Minny up 10 with 2:40 left. The kids are all right.
Yahoo Sports Staff
It is 85-82 Wolves with 4:30 left. Yowza.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Minny has to trust Rudy in the short roll. I know it’s impossible to consider but that’s what Denver will give up. Every now and then hit him.
A weird series gets weirder in a Game 7, as expected. 53-38 at the half. Jamal Murray with 24, Ant 1-of-7 for 4 points. You couldn’t script it any better for the champs.
Vincent Goodwill
Towns doing work
Karl Towns, literally keeping this game from being a blowout. 13 of the Wolves' 38 points. They trail by 10.
The Nuggets are starting to tighten their defense on Edwards. He’s passing out, but Gobert and Co. aren’t responding. 33% shooting for MIN, and the Nuggets are on their first big surge, lead 30-19.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Based on the bench reactions and some of the players on the floor, I don't think Minnesota is bringing help from where they want on the Jokic post-ups. They keep doubling him with the guy one-pass away. That's creating some easy passes for shots for Denver.
It looks like Minnesota is trying to get Murray on Edwards on switches. Denver is double-switching as the Wolves flow into the action. It's keeping Murray off Edwards. Wolves might need to hold up the screen for a beat longer. That will mean getting into their stuff a little…
A great sign for the Nuggets, Jamal Murray is active and aggressive after the two-day layoff. He’s been a barometer for them this series. Only averaging 10 points in losses, nearly 20 in wins.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Nuggets once again generating plenty of open looks and once again not knocking them down. Execution looks a lot different when the shots simply fall.
Slovakia’s manager Francesco Calzona pushed England’s Declan Rice after the final whistle as the Italian went to confront the officials following his team’s defeat.
Jude Bellingham hit back at England’s critics by claiming he had thrown some of “the rubbish” back at them with his stunning overhead kick that kept his side in the European Championship.
First the Biblical rain, then the judgements, and it would be fair to say that not all agreed with those made by an English team of officials in charge of the most dramatic game yet of the European championship.
Referee Halil Umut Meler was so poor and it could easily have cost England victory. The aim of Uefa referees chief Roberto Rossetti is to deliver a tournament where match officials deliver consistent and accurate decision-making in each game. We have witnessed some very good performances to date with, of course, the odd VAR controversy.
It felt like it was over and then, just as they were beginning to box up the Three Lions tracksuits and the portraits of the players’ dogs back at the team hotel, suddenly England burst out – unexpectedly alive – in Euro 2024.
With 16 runs to get from the final over, and secure South Africa’s first ever World Cup crown, David Miller launched Hardik Pandya straight down the ground for six. The shot showcased the power that has made Miller one of the most devastating finishers in the Indian Premier League and beyond.
Virat Kohli said he had played his last Twenty20 international after starring in India's thrilling seven-run win over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados on Saturday."Rohit has played nine T20 World Cups, this is my sixth," said Kohli.
Hosts Germany beat Denmark 2-0 in a storm-interrupted encounter to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 on Saturday, after reigning champions Italy were knocked out of the competition by Switzerland.Nevertheless, a commanding victory takes the hosts through to a quarter-final next Friday in Stuttgart against either much-fancied Spain or surprise package Georgia.
England’s last-16 tie against Slovakia promised a fresh start but the imbalance and tactical problems of the group stage continued in a shambolic first 45 minutes.
Paul George is going back to the Eastern Conference, and surely has made Joel Embiid very happy in the process. George will sign a four-year, $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press early Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be finalized until July 6 by NBA rule.
Liverpool have rejected a chance to sign Newcastle United and England winger Anthony Gordon in a deal which would have seen centre-back Jarell Quansah move to St James’ Park.
England escaped an embarrassing last 16 exit at Euro 2024 thanks to Jude Bellingham's overhead kick before Harry Kane struck in extra-time for a 2-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday.Kane then headed in just a minute into extra-time to set up a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland on Saturday.
Richardson finished fourth in the women's 200-meter final at the U.S. Olympic track & field trials on Saturday evening, one spot shy of what she needed to punch her ticket to Paris in the event.