The last five seconds in Target Center on Saturday watched drama unfold, thanks to an unwarranted play from Minnesota Timberwolves veteran Mike Conley. In the very last seconds of the game, Jaden McDaniels defied the NBA’s unwritten rule by going for a layup instead of letting the clock die. That led to Denver Nuggets star confronting McDaniels, following which there was a big squabble. Looking back, Conley wished he’d thought better.
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Mike Conley took responsibility for the heated brawl after winning 112-96. “Nah, that was a slip-up, that’s all on me, I take the blame… as soon as I threw it I looked, and I was like ‘Ah, it’s Jaden’,” he told the press. “I almost put my hands on my head, and I was like, ‘maybe he won’t,’ and then as soon as I saw him when the ball kind of bounced a couple times, ‘it’s over, man.’ You can even see me like lower my head.”
There’s no official rule against the move in the last few seconds of the clock. However, NBA culture says you ease off when the game is decided and when there are no defenders around. Because of that, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets took offense at McDaniels’ move. One moment led to another, and Jokic charged at McDaniels and shoved him.
Mike Conley on starting trouble with his pass to Jaden McDaniels: "Nah, that was a slip-up ... Soon as I threw it, I looked and was like 'Oh, it's Jaden' ... As soon as I saw him bounce the ball a couple times I was like 'It's over man.'" (via @adukeMN)
Meanwhile, others intervened, officials followed, and the Denver Nuggets star and Julius Randle faced ejection. However, since this could have taken a much worse shape, Nikola Jokic could also be looking at a suspension. That is the farthest thing he’ll want right now, especially after the humbling defeat.
It’s safe to say that the defensive walls of Minnesota, namely, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels, have crowded Jokic’s vision on the floor, who described his game as “average. Now, as the series keeps slipping away from the Nuggets, Game 5 will be an interesting sight.
Nikola Jokic admits to on-court struggles against the Minnesota Timberwolves
Jokic and the Denver Nuggets walked out of Minneapolis searching for answers, as the Minnesota Timberwolves tightened control of the series. In particular, Rudy Gobert stayed in Jokic’s space, constantly disrupting the rhythm. The 3-time MVP looked boxed in, uneasy, and far from his usual commanding self.
“It’s a little bit of everything. You know, I’m not shooting the ball really well, especially from the three, and you know, Rudy is doing a good job with being physical, testing the officials, contesting shots,” he told the media. “You know, he’s a really good defender. And not just him, they play very good … they’re big, long, tall, handsy, trippy, they’re bumping you, so… I think I answered.”
Imago
May 18, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Jokic has been struggling a lot on the court lately. The recent loss put them at a 1-3 gap behind the Timberwolves. In game 4, Jokic was only 2-16 from the field, and could haul in only 12 total points. He made zero shots in the fourth quarter, which ultimately ended in an ejection. It was a brutal end to an already troubling night. Will a switch be flipped in Game 5? Only time will tell.