Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels has branded the entire Denver Nuggets roster as “bad defenders” following his team’s 119-114 play-off victory in Game Two on Monday night.
The outspoken forward did not hold back in his post-match assessment after helping his side erase a 19-point deficit to level the first-round series.
Taking aim at the reigning Western Conference contenders, the 23-year-old specifically named multiple opposition stars as defensive liabilities.
“Go after Jokic, Jamal, all the bad defenders,” said McDaniels, who contributed 14 points and three assists.
“Tim Hardaway Jr, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, the whole team, just go at them.”
Edwards inspires remarkable comeback
Anthony Edwards proved instrumental in the sensational turnaround by pouring in 30 points despite battling a sore knee.
The dynamic guard also collected 10 rebounds to ensure the match-up heads back to Minneapolis finely poised at one win apiece.
Emphasising their perceived physical advantage, the victorious locker room appeared brimming with confidence regarding their interior threat.
“They don’t got people that can defend the rim,” McDaniels added.
“We’re still more athletic than them and just got to be able to finish when we do.”
Late shooting woes cost Denver
The hosts were left to rue a disastrous fourth quarter where their primary scoring threats suddenly went cold.
Three-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic secured 24 points and 15 defensive rebounds, while Jamal Murray matched Edwards with a 30-point haul.
However, the formidable duo converted just two of their 12 combined field-goal attempts in the final period.
A crucial missed two-point effort from the Canadian point guard in the dying seconds ultimately sealed Denver’s fate.
“I thought we had the game in our hands, but we just didn’t make enough shots,” admitted Murray.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels labelled the entire Denver Nuggets roster “bad defenders” following a 119-114 comeback victory in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Monday.
The visitors overcame a 19-point deficit in Colorado to tie the series at one win apiece.
However, the post-match focus quickly shifted to the Minnesota forward’s blunt assessment of his opponents.
‘They don’t have people that can defend the rim’
When asked about the team’s offensive strategy, the energetic forward did not hold back.
“Go after Jokic, Jamal, all the bad defenders,” McDaniels stated.
“Tim Hardaway Jr, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, the whole team, just go at them.”
When pressed on whether he genuinely believed the opposition were all poor at defending, his response was emphatic.
“Yeah, they’re all bad defenders,” he added.
Edwards powers Timberwolves despite injury
Anthony Edwards spearheaded the remarkable Minnesota fightback despite playing on a sore knee.
The dynamic shooting guard registered 30 points and secured 10 rebounds to stun the home crowd.
McDaniels, who contributed 14 points and three assists, believes his side holds a clear physical advantage.
“They don’t got people that can defend the rim,” he said.
“We’re still more athletic than them and just got to be able to finish when we do.”
Nuggets duo falter in final quarter
Denver’s star pairing of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray dominated statistically but struggled when it mattered most.
The Serbian centre grabbed 15 defensive rebounds alongside his 24 points, while Murray matched Edwards with a 30-point haul.
Crucially, the All-Star duo managed a combined two successful shots from 12 attempts during the fourth quarter.
With the game on the line in the closing seconds, Murray opted for a contested two-point attempt rather than a game-tying three-pointer.
The point guard missed the crucial effort, allowing Minnesota to seal the vital away victory.
“I was happy he took the two points,” Edwards noted regarding the final sequence.
“We all could have played better. It’s not all on one person, that’s just the way the game goes sometimes,” Murray admitted.
The tightly poised series now moves to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Thursday evening.
The Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of two key players to secure a shock nine-point victory over the Houston Rockets in their NBA play-off opener on Saturday.
Entering the contest without leading scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the hosts were considered heavy underdogs.
The Texan franchise were also missing their own talisman, Kevin Durant, but were widely tipped to dominate the Western Conference series.
However, an unexpected 27-point barrage from Luke Kennard and a near triple-double from 41-year-old veteran LeBron James completely flipped the script.
Record-breaking offensive display
The fourth seeds never trailed by more than two points and eventually built a commanding 16-point advantage before closing out the game.
Their offensive execution was virtually flawless, resulting in an effective field goal percentage of 68.2%.
That remarkable figure stands as a new franchise record for the 17-time champions in postseason basketball.
Statistical anomaly offers hope for Houston
Despite the comprehensive defeat, underlying data suggests the visiting side have reasons to remain optimistic ahead of Game 2 on Tuesday.
Advanced tracking metrics reveal that the expected shooting percentage for the hosts was significantly lower at just 51.5%.
This massive 16.7% gap between expected and actual performance represents one of the highest shotmaking anomalies in recorded NBA history.
For context, no other team across the opening weekend of the 2026 playoffs achieved even half of that shotmaking differential.
The last time a Los Angeles roster produced such an unlikely shooting performance was eight years ago during the 2018 regular season.
Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points to break Tim Duncan’s franchise record as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers in his highly anticipated NBA playoff debut.
The 22-year-old delivered a dominant two-way performance at Frost Bank Arena to lead his team to a Game 1 victory.
He finished on 13-of-21 shooting, including five three-pointers, alongside five rebounds and two blocks.
His scoring tally eclipsed the previous San Antonio milestone for a postseason debut established by Hall of Famer Duncan.
Defensive masterclass stifles Portland
The French phenom was equally devastating on the defensive end of the floor.
Portland players shot a dismal 0-for-11 when the 7-foot-4 centre was positioned as the primary defender.
“The first time I stepped on the court, even for warmups, I felt the atmosphere was different,” Wembanyama said.
“Everybody was ready. The fans were ready. It’s probably the most excitement I’ve seen this year in this arena.”
Watching greatness unfold
The victory marked the Spurs’ first playoff appearance in seven years, ending an uncharacteristic drought for the historic Texas franchise.
Franchise legends Duncan and David Robinson watched from the stands as their highly touted successor took centre stage.
While Wembanyama is frequently linked to the San Antonio big men who preceded him, his unique skillset is drawing early comparisons to LeBron James.
Rather than passing to a guard after securing a defensive rebound, the versatile star repeatedly initiated the fast break himself, showcasing playmaking skills rarely seen in a player of his staggering size.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green predicts head coach Steve Kerr will leave the franchise this summer following their recent playoff elimination.
The four-time NBA champion coach acknowledged last week that his storied tenure in San Francisco could be nearing its conclusion.
Speaking on his own podcast, the 34-year-old defensive stalwart expressed serious doubt about the current coaching situation.
“I hope he’s our coach next season,” Green said. “You want my opinion? I think not. Just because it feels like that. It felt like that was it.”
End of a dynastic era?
The Western Conference side were eliminated from postseason contention in Phoenix late on Friday night.
Following the decisive buzzer, microphones captured an emotional courtside exchange between the experienced tactician, Green, and star guard Stephen Curry.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you,” Kerr told his veteran players.
The 58-year-old plans to take the next fortnight to mull over his professional future before making a final decision.
Management seeks long-term commitment
Exit interviews began on Monday, bringing the coaching staff and front office executives together at the team’s training facility.
General manager Mike Dunleavy and controlling owner Joe Lacob are expected to hold extensive discussions with their current boss in the coming days.
Reports suggest the Warriors hierarchy want their head coach to sign a multi-year extension rather than orchestrating a sentimental farewell tour.
“These jobs all have an expiration date,” Kerr noted after Friday’s defeat. “There is a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.”
Roster uncertainty looms
The uncertainty surrounding the dugout extends to the playing squad ahead of a crucial off-season.
Curry is entering the final year of his current deal, though both parties are reportedly keen to agree to an extension this summer.
However, his outspoken team-mate holds a lucrative $27.6m (£22.2m) player option and admits his own status remains highly unpredictable.
“I’ve never been so uncertain since earlier in my career in what happens next,” added the Michigan native. “I also hope I’m on this team next season. We also don’t know that.”
LeBron James rolled back the years to guide the Los Angeles Lakers to a Game 1 victory over the Houston Rockets in the opening weekend of the NBA play-offs.
The veteran star produced a classic performance as the ultimate facilitator on Saturday.
He registered 13 assists, eight of which came in a blistering first quarter, to dictate the tempo against Houston.
Benefiting from this distribution was Luke Kennard, who struck five three-pointers on his way to 27 points.
A timeless play-off strategy
Surrounding the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with elite perimeter shooters has been a proven formula for nearly two decades.
By drawing multiple defenders, the four-time champion consistently created open spaces for his team-mates to exploit.
“He displayed great leadership throughout. We talked all week about being connected offensively and trusting the pass. He led us.”
JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers head coach
Cavaliers unveil fresh defensive approach
Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers showcased a disciplined defensive scheme to defeat the Toronto Raptors.
Kenny Atkinson’s side had struggled defensively during the regular season, rotating through 41 different starting line-ups due to persistent injuries.
Entering the post-season with the league’s 15th-ranked defence, questions remained over their ability to contain elite scorers.
However, their revamped strategy successfully targeted Toronto’s primary attacking threat, Brandon Ingram.
Ingram had heavily punished the Ohio franchise during the regular season, but found his rhythm significantly disrupted in this crucial opening encounter.
The Golden State Warriors are facing a pivotal offseason of immense uncertainty following their elimination from the play-in tournament by the Phoenix Suns.
The dynastic franchise finished a disappointing campaign with just 37 wins and a 10th-place finish in the Western Conference.
Their tumultuous season officially concluded on Friday night following a decisive defeat to a youthful Phoenix squad.
Questions now surround the future makeup of the roster and the potential search for a new head coach.
Management must also identify a reliable co-star to support veteran point guard Stephen Curry.
Injuries derail Golden State’s challenging campaign
The Californian side endured a torrid run of fitness issues throughout the gruelling year.
The 36-year-old Curry missed 27 games with a persistent knee problem before returning late in the schedule.
Further devastating blows arrived when forwards Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody suffered season-ending injuries.
Butler underwent surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament in early February and spent the remainder of the campaign in a heavy brace.
“Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong this year,” said forward Draymond Green.
Flashes of former glory against Clippers
Despite the mounting setbacks, the four-time NBA champions still showed brief glimpses of their formidable best.
The team secured a resilient elimination-game victory over the Los Angeles Clippers prior to their final loss.
The talismanic Curry erupted for 35 points in 36 minutes during that crucial fixture.
Meanwhile, defensive stalwart Green successfully neutralised Kawhi Leonard in the decisive fourth quarter.
“For one night, we’re us,” Kerr said. “We’re champions again.”
However, that fleeting resurgence was swiftly extinguished by the Suns just two nights later.
The franchise must now evaluate whether their decade-long era of dominance has finally reached its permanent conclusion.
Paolo Banchero scored 23 points to lead the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic to a shock 112-101 victory over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Sunday.
The surprise road win in Michigan extends the longest home playoff losing streak in NBA history, with Detroit having now dropped 11 consecutive postseason games on their own court since 2008.
Cade Cunningham poured in a playoff career-high 39 points for the hosts, but received minimal offensive support beyond 17 points from veteran forward Tobias Harris.
Magic capitalise on early Detroit rust
Having secured their postseason berth via a dominant play-in victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, the Florida franchise arrived with evident momentum.
They surged to an 18-5 lead midway through the opening quarter, suffocating a rested Detroit outfit that managed just one successful field goal from their first six attempts.
Despite a brief rally from the top seeds to pull within two points, a combined 20-point first-quarter effort from Banchero and Jalen Suggs ensured Orlando maintained a 35-27 advantage.
The visitors eventually took a narrow 55-51 lead into the half-time interval.
Wagner seals shock series opener
Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was forced into an early second-half timeout after his side conceded eight of the first nine points following the restart.
A resilient 13-2 run from the home side eventually tied the contest at 65 apiece, capped off by a crucial three-pointer from their star guard Cunningham.
However, Banchero immediately responded with a contested jumper, sparking a decisive sequence that restored a double-digit cushion for the underdogs heading into the fourth quarter.
German international Franz Wagner then took control in the final period, scoring 11 of his 19 total points alongside 17-point contributions from Wendell Carter and Desmond Bane to safely navigate the visitors to the final buzzer.
The Pistons, who have not advanced past the first round in 18 years, will attempt to level the series when they host Game 2 on Wednesday evening.