Jaden McDaniels embraces villain role in Denver after Game 5 loss to Nuggets drew boos
DENVER (AP) — Jaden McDaniels received more pushback from the Denver Nuggets and their fans as he heard constant boos from the crowd throughout the evening.
All he did was encourage McDaniels, the antagonistic Minnesota Timberwolves forward who got under Nuggets Nation’s skin through his words and actions.
Announcement
After a 125-113 loss to Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series Monday night, McDaniels insisted he wouldn’t be returning to Denver anytime soon.
“We just lost the day, but we’ll win the next day,” said McDaniels, whose team leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 heading into Game 6 Thursday night in Minnesota.
McDaniels labeled the Nuggets “all bad defenders” after Minnesota won Game 2. Denver didn’t have much of an answer in the run-up to Game 3 — or during the game itself.
On Saturday, McDaniels once again drew the ire of the Nuggets – more specifically Jokic – after violating an unwritten rule by scoring a layup with the game already conceded. Jokic ran down the court and tackled him as players gathered around. The situation resulted in expulsions and fines but no suspensions.
Announcement
This time the Nuggets had an answer. So did the Ball Arena crowd, who booed McDaniels every time he touched the ball.
“I love this environment, everyone hates me,” McDaniels said. “I nourish myself. Brings out the best in me.”
McDaniels finished with 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting in just over 27 minutes of action. He also had four of the Timberwolves’ 25 turnovers. The mistakes might be understandable, though, as the team works without Donte DiVincenzo (ruptured right Achilles tendon) and Anthony Edwards (knee).
“It’s really just the gravity that they carry,” McDaniels said. “I feel like we still did a good job.”
Announcement
Sometimes the game got a little choppy and sometimes he was the center of it. Like in the fourth quarter with some pushes and a few words with Jonas Valanciunas, who weighs 60 kilos more than McDaniels.
There was also Christian Braun hanging from the basket after a dunk and pointing in the direction of McDaniels. This got Braun a technician and revved up the audience.
“It’s all fun to me. I don’t really care. I feed myself,” McDaniels said. “We just have to get the job done next game, then there will be no more talking.”
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