Jaden McDaniels and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied from a 19-point deficit to defeat Nikola Jokić’s Denver Nuggets 119-114 during Monday’s Game 2 road clash, evening up their first-round Western Conference playoff series at 1-1.
As the sides’ rivalry continues to escalate amid their third postseason showdown in four years, McDaniels seized an opportunity to take a blunt jab at Jokić and Co., to the NBA world’s amusement.
Jaden McDaniels Unloads on Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray’s ‘Bad’ Defense
After digging itself into an early 19-point hole in Denver, Minnesota didn’t get flustered. Instead, it quickly battled back to enter halftime tied 64-64. The West juggernauts engaged in a dogfight from then on, with McDaniels and Timberwolves veteran big man Rudy Gobert providing vital perimeter and interior defense down the stretch.
Denver again looks to go Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic two man game. Look at the effort from Jaden McDaniels. Slides under and then fights over the screen so Gobert can stay back. Denver tries to flow into Murray screening for Jokic who rejects but no bucket. pic.twitter.com/96chVGRNlo
— Steve Jones (@stevejones20) April 21, 2026
Minnesota held Jokić and his co-star Jamal Murray to just 4 points on 2-for-12 shooting (16.7%) in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves exploited the Nuggets’ lack of rim protection, getting downhill and generating open looks to secure a critical win, spearheaded by a game-high 30-point showing from superstar wing Anthony Edwards.
When asked postgame what the “keys offensively” were for Minnesota to tie the series, McDaniels directly called out Denver’s star duo before expanding his criticism to the entire team.
“Go at Jokić, Jamal, all the bad defenders,” McDaniels said. “Tim Hardaway [Jr.], Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, their whole team. Like, just go at them.”
Upon being pressed to confirm that he believes the Nuggets’ roster is comprised of “all bad defenders,” McDaniels didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah, they’re all bad defenders,” the sixth-year forward doubled down with a deadpan delivery.
Jaden McDaniels, deadpan delivery, on what worked for the Timberwolves offensively.
Jaden: Go at Jokic, Jamal, all the bad defenders. Tim Hardaway, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, their whole team.”
Q: They’re all bad defenders?
Jaden: “Yeah, they’re all bad defenders.” pic.twitter.com/Lbjq7je9Fo
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) April 21, 2026
McDaniels’ no-holds-barred response promptly went viral on X, with several NBA-related accounts relishing the unexpected development.
“OMGGGG, JADEN TALKING NASTYYYYYY,” parody account @lockedbyae reacted.
OMGGGG JADEN TALKING NASTYYYYYY https://t.co/TIoVFKuYVu pic.twitter.com/XR3XydtDMu
— N🐜 (@lockedbyae) April 21, 2026
“Oh shi, let’s get negative,” @NotLikeRuss quipped.
oh shi lets get negative https://t.co/fZTkGUeiPw
— 🌨️ (@NotLikeRuss) April 21, 2026
“We need this. THIS is good for the game. Not Boston or LA or the Knicks or whoever being good. We need teams that hate each other,” DLLS Mavs’ Bobby Karalla contended.
We need this. THIS is good for the game. Not Boston or LA or the Knicks or whoever being good. We need teams that hate each other. https://t.co/6M3GVhJpVI
— Bobby Karalla (@bobbykaralla) April 21, 2026
“The absolute best! Wolves trying to save the NBA. Ethical s**t-talking hoopers,” Action Network’s Tyler Schmidt exclaimed.
The absolute best! Wolves trying to save the NBA. Ethical shit-talking hoopers
— Tyler Schmidt (@tyschmidt4) April 21, 2026
“1st playoff series to get negative,” @30GotNext added, alongside a fitting Joakim Noah meme.
1st playoff series to get negative https://t.co/yczGtbFavL pic.twitter.com/oZjXx1wov6
— Smiley (@30GotNext) April 21, 2026
McDaniels’ unprompted diss is sure to add even more intrigue to Thursday’s pivotal Game 3 matchup in Minnesota.
Time will tell whether Monday’s defensive-charged comeback will give the sixth-seeded Timberwolves the edge to pull off an upset or if Jokić and Murray will be extra motivated by McDaniels’ disrespectful remarks to seek revenge.
