Why Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels doesn’t consider the Nuggets rivals anymore

After eliminating the Denver Nuggets, 4-2, in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 110-98 win in Game 6 of their first-round best-of-7 series, Jaden McDaniels doesn’t consider the 2023 champions rivals anymore. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch revealed his team’s extra motivation heading into the playoffs’ opening-round series, reminding fans of how the Nuggets settled for the third-best record in the Western Conference.

Finch was convinced that the Nuggets considered the Timberwolves to be the easier team to face in the playoffs, which, of course, led to Denver’s exit against an Anthony Edwards-less Minnesota squad in Games 5 and 6. After Friday’s win, McDaniels said the Nuggets are no longer a rival to the Timberwolves, per ESPN’s NBA Today.

“You could say it’s a rivalry,” McDaniels said, before quickly changing his mind. “It’s up there — I don’t know if we can anymore after we beat them, like, 2, 3 times, but it’s cool.”

Jaden McDaniels on the Denver rivalry

"Yeah, you could say it's a rivalry. — I don't know if we can anymore after we beat them, like, 2, 3 times, but it's cool."

"You're saying that they can't be in your class anymore bc you guys have gotten the last 2 series?"

"Basically." pic.twitter.com/S67uX9lgME

— Jonah (@Huncho_Jman) May 1, 2026

After back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves will look to make it three in a row this season. Minnesota will face the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals.

Why Jaden McDaniels is the Timberwolves’ elite trash-talker

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch commended Jaden McDaniels’ two-way performance in their first-round series against the Nuggets. For Finch, McDaniels spent the series talking trash, but also backed it up by leading the Timberwolves in scoring while limiting Nuggets All-Star Jamal Murray in Game 6, he said, per The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Chris Hine.

“He talked all series and he backed it up all series. That’s called legitimate tough. He not only led us tonight, scoring-wise, but Murray was 4-for-17, and I don’t think he scored on Jaden all game, and that’s what you want.”

Chris Finch on Jaden McDaniels: “He talked all series and he backed it up. That’s called legitimate tough.” pic.twitter.com/nBUFQEe3TQ

— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) May 1, 2026

The Spurs will host the Timberwolves in Game 1 on Monday.

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