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.
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
Families with TWO retired generations will surge to one million in a decade
PGA CHAMPIONSHIP '24: The big moments at Valhalla
Dozens injured in Argentina after train strikes boxcar
Investigators return to Long Island home of Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect
Ancelotti faces goalkeeper dilemma ahead of Champions League final. Courtois or Lunin?
Sweetgreen, Natera rise; Collegium Pharmaceutical, Akamai fall, 5/10/2024
Authorities make arrest in 2001 killing of Georgia law student who was found dead in a burning home
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
Inside a makeshift shelter saving hundreds of dogs from floods in southern Brazil
Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
NASCAR teams, drivers will celebrate the sports' roots at Darlington Raceway