DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets couldn’t quiet an epic second-half comeback by Minnesota or the noise emanating from a boisterous Timberwolves locker room.
It was a thunderous and stinging reminder of the obvious — their reign as champions was over, and much sooner than expected.
The young and confident Timberwolves came into Denver’s house and spoiled the party by eliminating the Nuggets with a 98-90 win Sunday night in Game 7 of their second-round series. Minnesota overcame a 20-point deficit to make the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2004.
“No one ever said this was going to be easy trying to repeat,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
The Nuggets became the fifth straight reigning champion to fail to reach the conference finals in their quest to repeat. As Malone answered questions following the game, the vibrations from the Timberwolves’ rowdy locker room celebration echoed from down the hall.
South Africa's former president Zuma survives road crash
Firefighting variant of AG600 seaplane ready for type certification
US Pentagon chief speaks with Chinese counterpart for first time since November 2022
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
Bank of America's Q1 profits fall 18% on higher expenses, charge
Pochettino says Chelsea players behaved like ‘kids’ when squabbling over who took a penalty
Alana Lister doesn't look like this anymore! MAFS star is unrecognisable in wild Coachella outfit
‘The Blue Angels,’ filmed for IMAX, puts viewers in the ‘box’ with the elite flying squad
China, Nauru gathering momentum for growth of ties
OpenAI pauses ChatGPT voice after Scarlett Johansson comparisons
China reveals cases highlighting ecological security threats