Jokic Drives Nuggets’ Comeback Against Timberwolves 115-107, Pacers Dominate Knicks
Nikola Jokic spearheaded the Denver Nuggets’ remarkable resurgence against the Minnesota Timberwolves, securing a crucial 115-107 victory in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.
On Sunday night in Game 4, the Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves 115-107 to even the series. Nikola Jokic scored 16 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, while Aaron Gordon scored 27 points on 11 of 12 shots.
After losing the first two games of the Western Conference semifinals at home in a humiliating manner, the Denver Nuggets were far from finished.
On Sunday night in Game 4, the Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves 115-107 to even the series. Nikola Jokic scored 16 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, while Aaron Gordon scored 27 points on 11 of 12 shots.
Gordon compared it to “a laser-sharp focus and a surgical execution.”
The Nuggets, the reigning champions, rode a buzzer-beating swish from behind half court to collect 12 of Jamal Murray’s 19 points in the third quarter. The Wolves’ deficit was only below double digits for the second half, totaling 3:19.
With a 16-for-25 shooting effort, Anthony Edwards scored 44 points in yet another outstanding performance for Minnesota, setting a new franchise postseason record. But for the second straight game at home, the Wolves lost despite having a 42-31 rebounding advantage.
Karl-Anthony Towns shot just 5 for 18 from the field for 13 points and 12 rebounds, Rudy Gobert came alive in the closing minutes to score 11 points and pull down 14 boards, and Mike Conley scored 15 points. For the second consecutive game, the Wolves were still right behind them at home.
The first half ended with eight straight points for the Nuggets in twenty seconds, capped by an unbelievable heave by Murray.
Gordon didn’t miss until 3:39 remained. Above all, he initiated the harassment of Towns and even alternated attempts to slow Edwards down.
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In Game 4, Haliburton and the Pacers take advantage of the Knicks’ lackluster play to tie the series at 121-89
With 20 points from Tyrese Haliburton, 15 from T.J. McConnell, and 10 assists, the Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 121-89 on Sunday to tie the Eastern Conference semifinal series at 2-2. It was the team’s second-largest playoff win history.
Haliburton contributed six rebounds, five assists, and four 3-pointers in a Pacers victory that was lopsided from start to finish. When they defeated Cleveland by 34 points in April 2018, they came up just shy of their most resounding playoff triumph.
The series’ fifth game is scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
Just three Knicks players scored in double figures. With Alec Burks finishing with 20, Jalen Brunson with his lowest postseason total of 18, and Deuce McBride with 16, they faced the biggest deficit of any team in the tournament while shooting 33.7% from the field and 18.9% from three.
The Knicks had previously fallen to the Bulls by 41 in 1991, the 76ers by 40 in 1978, and the Pistons by 35 in 1990. This was their fourth-largest postseason loss.
Naturally, the Pacers capitalized on the enthusiasm of a nearly full Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where they are currently 5-0 ahead of Friday’s Game 6 in Indianapolis. Former Pacers players Dale Davis and Derrick McKey, as well as musician John Mellencamp and Indianapolis 500 champions Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti, were there at courtside.
After a competitive series during the first three games, they watched the most dominant performance.
In the postseason this year, New York recorded its lowest-scoring quarter (14) and half (41) and only held a 2-0 lead for a total of 44 seconds.
With forwards OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, and Bojan Bogdanovic out due to injury, along with center Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks appeared worn out in their quick transition from Game 3 to the afternoon tip.
Moreover, both Donte DiVincenzo and Brunson struggled on Sunday, despite the Knicks being competitive in each of the first three games. The backcourt pair shot a combined 9 of 30 from the field and 2 of 11 from 3-point range, with Brunson missing his first five attempts.
Haliburton’s first three points of the game gave Indiana the lead for good, and the team quickly gained momentum with a 29-7 first-quarter run that put the Pacers ahead 34-11.
New York never bounced back. Early in the second quarter, it narrowed the gap to 36-19, but Indiana responded with 10 straight baskets to increase the lead to 69-41 at the half.
The situation simply grew worse from there. After three quarters, Indiana’s lead had grown to 101-63, a lead so big that both teams rested their starters for the whole fourth quarter. This season, Indiana has led by forty-three points or more three times. The Knicks have not trailed by forty-three points since they lost to Denver on December 5, 2019, a period of 388 games.
