Prior to the Denver Nuggets championship in 2023, the team became battle tested through two 3-1 comebacks in the bubble against the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers back in 2020. What some may not remember is that the Nuggets nearly lost game 7 against the Jazz on a play that looked eerily similar to Russell Westbrookâs missed layup on Tuesday night.
5 years ago it was Torrey Craig who almost spoiled the 80-78 win over Utah in the playoffs, as he bricked a layup with 6 seconds left on a fast break when Denver could have held the ball to get fouled and shoot free throws. Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley were both involved in the rebound and then final missed shot that went in and out. Both players now play for the Wolves:
On that day, many Nuggets fans were left scratching their heads about why the Nuggets forced up a layup while winning the game with under 10 seconds left. This feeling has now popped up again, but in the worst way possible, as Westbrook copied Craig in missing the layup, but also one-upped him by fouling a three-pointer shooter with 0.1 seconds left to lose the game.
It truly does represent the nightmare that could have been back in 2020. Who knows where the Nuggets would be (or if they win the championship in 2023) if Conley connects on that three-pointer and the Jazz win.
The Nuggets officially have a Timberwolves problem
After crushing the Wolves 4-1 in the playoffs en route to their NBA championship in 2023, it has been anything but smooth sailing against them since. The Nuggets choked away a game 7 20-point lead against Minnesota last season and are now winless against them in the regular season this year.
On Tuesday, things were trending in the right direction and Nikola Jokic had a legendary-status game, recording a 61-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist game in which he played 53 minutes (and the final 34 minutes of the double-OT match). Sadly, with no Jamal Murray or Michael Porter Jr. in this game, Russell Westbrook closed and showcased some incredibly poor basketball IQ.
Not only was the botched layup bad, but fouling a three-point shooter in Nickeil Alexander-Walker after the ball was already released was dreadful. The shot missed, which makes the foul even more painful. It was not just Westbrook however. Christian Braun also did not pull the ball out on the missed-layup play and Denver.
Denver as a team also blew an 11-point 4th quarter lead with 6:53 left to go in the game. At that point in the game the Nuggets were 96.0% favorites to win according to ESPN. Denver also has a 79.9% to win in the 2nd overtime before having mental lapses down the stretch. It is such a shame that the Jokic masterpiece was ruined.
The Nuggets are now just a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for the 3 seed in the west and the road does not get any easier, with Denver playing again against the San Antonio Spurs less than 24 hours after this debacle.