Despite the Timberwolves managing to push their second-round playoff series back to Denver, not many believed the Timberwolves could beat the defending champions and end their season. Most believed Nikola Jokic would dominate Minnesota’s centers and lead his team to victory. However, Karl-Anthony Towns had other ideas.
The Timberwolves star had an outstanding game on both ends of the court and helped his team beat the Nuggets and advance to the Western Conference Finals. KAT not only believed his team would pull off the upset, he visualized it hours before his team arrived at the arena for the shootout.
During an appearance on Podcast PThe center told broadcaster Paul George that he was sitting alone in the stands, imagining Jokic attacking him and making mental notes about how he would respond. He said,
“I was there [Ball Arena] “I was very early, two hours before my kickoff time… I understood the magnitude of the game, I understood what my mission was, and I just remember sitting in that chair, it was the 7th row, and the 7th chair in Denver! I felt like I was watching every move Jokic was going to make in the game.”
KAT smothered the reigning MVP on defense and attacked him at every opportunity on offense. He used his size and strength to disrupt his rhythm and prevent him from finding open teammates. His efforts paid off. Jokic shot a disappointing 13-of-28 from the field and finished the game with seven assists and three turnovers.
The excellent defense of KAT and Rudy Gobert in the paint forced him to shoot three-pointers and he struggled, making only two of his ten three-point attempts. On the other hand, the Timberwolves star finished the game with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.
His contributions helped the Timberwolves to a 98-90 victory in Denver and a berth in the conference finals. The physical and mental toll of their seven-game battle with the Nuggets was evident against the Mavericks.
The Dallas Cowboys easily eliminated them in five games and advanced to the NBA Finals. Regardless, their victory over the Nuggets was a turning point for the franchise.
It ended their 20-year wait to make the conference finals and gave them the confidence that they were on the right track. KAT and the rest of the team can be counted on to take on any team in the NBA and bring a title to Minnesota.
