Photograph per David Berding/Getty Images. Terrence Shannon Jr. celebrates after a number switch from 00 to 1.
Monday’s quarterfinal game four matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves was packed with storylines, but ended as expected.
Denver’s relentless attack, led by former league MVP Nikola Jokic’s 27 point triple double, was the catalyst for this decisive Nuggets win over a short-staffed Minnesota squad. The absence of Timberwolves starters Anthony Edwards and Donte Divencenzo grew incredibly obvious as the game developed. Only three of Chris Finch’s starting five were double digit scorers, all three of them having plus minuses of -15 or below.
In stark contrast, an emergence took shape before my eyes, as Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 15 points on six of 10 shooting. Also worthy of note, Shannon only played 14 minutes, a reflection of head coach Chris Finch’s tight grip on his rotation.
Despite suffering both a crushing loss on the road and multiple devastating losses to injury just days before, Minnesota should rest easy this evening. I said it before and I’ll say it again, TSJ mania is on its way. Look out for the Illinois legend to play a minimum of 20 minutes, getting as many if not more field goals up.
