"They Were Built To Beat Us"- Nikola Jokic Sounds Off The Wolves, The Nuggets Future & More!

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The Minnesota Timberwolves outscored the Denver Nuggets 60-37 in the 2nd half as the Timberwolves defeat the Nuggets in Game 7, 98-90 and advance to the Western Conference Finals. Jaden McDaniels (23 points, 6 rebounds), Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points, 12 rebounds) and Anthony Edwards (16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) combined for 62 points in the victory, while Jamal Murray (35 points, 4 3pt. FG) and Nikola Jokic (34 points, 19 rebounds, 7 assists) combined for 69 for the Nuggets in the losing effort.
Minnesota’s 20 point comeback was the largest in a Game 7 in the play-by-play era (1997-98), passing
Cleveland Cavaliers, 18 points vs Magic (R1, 2024)
Minnesota reaches the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2004 when they faced the Lakers (2-4). This is the only other time Minnesota has made it to the Western Conference Finals
This is the 27th time that a team defeated the defending champions after losing to them the postseason prior. Most recently, the Warriors defeated the Cavaliers in the 2017 Finals (4-1) after losing to them in the 2016 NBA Finals (3-4).
Karl-Anthony Towns joins Kevin Garnett (2003-04) as the only Timberwolves to go total 200 points and 100 rebounds in a playoff run

[@Li_Yifei]

Shout out to Tim Connelly, The current GM of timberwolves and the former GM of the nuggets. He built this nuggets team and now the timberwolves. He really knows how to beat his own masterpiece.

[@mkw5398]

BULLSHIT, F HIM

[@paosaelee7846]

If I build it, I can take it down also... T- Wolves GM...😅

[@plusnew8306]

Not shouting him out. He should be investigated for tampering. You should not be allowed to team hop and tell another team secrets

[@bigpayso247]

​@@plusnew8306CEO's do it every few years.

[@a9029k]

@@plusnew8306it's not about telling secrets

[@jamesthereaper7]

MISSING PERSON: Michael Porter Jr. If found, please return to the Denver Nuggets.

[@joshuakadabra5313]

😂

[@bladezx4880]

Mr. No-pass look went AWOL LOL

[@Aneeshtherave]

No. Get his a$$ to the Shanghai sharks.

[@joseabreu-nn5cu]

Best comment 😭

[@Jjean-jy2dy]

😆

[@arizjones]

Jokic is humble and has class. No blaming, no excuse, just respectful to the winning team.

[@JerryDoe-ds3un]

I respect the hell outta jokic for his answer saying they were just the better team! His teammates saying they are sad cause they were the better team they thought and should have repeated and him saying if they win a 7 game series they are obviously the better team jokic respect and hats off! You played amazing along with Jamal the rest of your team played booty no one else in double figures and like 8pts off the bench whoa

[@IHadToMakeThisAccount]

Whats so cool is almost all the Wolves players give Jokic his respect, as the best player in the league.

[@pleasedont7439]

Because they know damn well the only reason this game even went to game 7 is because Jokic has been consistent, despite having "decent" performances

[@antoniobautista6718]

They were built to beat the Nuggets, and the entire league. Quick, tall players with hustle and great shooting. Great win Wolves, but as a Nuggets fan, I hope Jokić kills it during the offseason, and bounces back!!!

[@Yute01]

Tbf Jokic might just be at his peak skill wise, don't seen his numbers taking much of a leap from here, unless he somehow becomes a 30 ppg scorer, but it's the other guys that were inconsistent. Jokic doesn't have much he needs to improve.

[@Austin_Jason]

Ok bro My parents said if I hit 3k, they'd buy me a professional camera for recording! Pls guys I'm literally begging you!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤

[@yoitsalex12]

He ain’t touching a basketball till training camp 😂

[@shxfty_c0nt3st3d5]

Not my Celtics

[@Kingchasethebag-yeah]

Yeah the Denver chocker nuggets weren’t meant to face the wolves

[@primetimejaa]

Mike Conley respect 🙌

[@mkw5398]

To hell with mike conley

[@zenitsuthunder3946]

5:12 jokic respect mike C

[@mojocat7675]

A very mature interview. I agree - the team that wins is the better team - at least at the time.

[@jasonspencer1967]

Jokic, respect! Be honest, be truthful, I hear you. Thank you. Love you bro! Enjoy your time off ok. 💪☝️

[@guyprieto1593]

Respect to this man he played phenomenal all post season. Dude this guys skill is insane

[@ThaoTrades]

As a Timberwolves fan, you gotta love jokic. Just a great player and pays his respects

[@stolensentience]

Get that Man a soda!

[@velipulla3936]

Jokic

[@Cofitube94]

He doesn’t take this basketball stuff seriously. It’s just a game in the end

[@MrGoat7449]

Thank you for being a respectful Fan 🙏

[@MrGoat7449]

@@Cofitube94Exactly

[@Keme-zi9qu]

As a Spurs fan, I really love the Nuggets because of Jokic ❤❤❤

[@progrod8915]

Props to Jokic, I get it people will say “he cares more about his horses” but you know the guys a true competitor, he doesn’t make excuses

[@akeno6752]

Timberwolves bringing back the importance of Defense in the leagye, si refreshing to watch

[@phil4208]

Nuggets have a strong young nucleus they will be in the playoffs for years, a championship is tough, im a celtics fan but also an NBA fan

[@mohsin32s]

The fact that Jokic the joker himself saying that there is one team that was built to beat them

[@progressiveoverload3915]

I mean their former gm or sum like that left nuggets to go to wolves and basically succeeded

[@mohsin32s]

@@progressiveoverload3915fr

[@Lumensensus]

Naw he's just a choker

[@StormzMagic]

@@Lumensensusdelusional 🧱

[@RomeValdes]

@@Lumensensus 34-19-7 45% tell me your not serious

[@mandy11254]

If it was Murray being interviewed, he'd ramble on that they got unlucky. Glad Jokic is there. Respect.

[@S2k_GRsti]

He did just that in his interview. Not a very gracious loser

[@c-mo313]

Big respect to the big man.

[@bdubs532]

I really love this guy, even in losses he's a great listen

[@yungvision1]

Joker is the Basketball version on Fedor Emelianenko for all the MMA fans. He never gets happy he never gets sad, just Stoic.

[@tukne6958]

Win or lose i still love this group. An open letter for my nuggets team. Please dont be disheartened by this loss, we could still do it next season. Many people might doubt you but we believe that we can come back stronger and prove once again that we are a team destined to win more chips. We believe in you even after this loss. To Coach Malone, Jokić, Mal, AG, MPJ, KCP, CB, Reggie, Justin, PWat, DJ and the rest of the guys, always remember that we will always believe in you and will never ever doubt your talent even at this point. Cheer up and lets bounce back next season. Just stay motivated, stay hungry and believe in yourselves. Thank you for this season, its still a good fight. Love you guys!! We will wait for you next season ❤

[@Rezzie31]

Jokic is a class act. He respects the game and his fellow players, he understands the game much more than most of the others. He is so skilled....Wolves need to go all the way now.

[@TEAMAGEPRODUCTIONS]

Lifetime Timberwolves fan, and I think he has been my favorite player since his second year in the league. Much respect, Nikola.

[@Esme-js6rf]

Man now I realize how hard it is to have back to back more a 3peat

[@berlin4103]

Yeah it just makes jordan even crazier for having two 3 peats. 😮Bro imagine how crazy it is that everyone in the league is gunning for you and you still get it done again and again and again.

[@lilypfefferle7525]

He’s right, the better team always wins. You can argue officiating you can argue an off night, but at the end of any game, the better team always finds a way to win. That’s sports.

[@2uzu]

As a wolves fan, big respect to the joker. His teammates let down him down tn

[@velipulla3936]

Jokic was shooting awful

[@oni_vergil7342]

Murray was the best nugget tonight!! Joker played really bad on the offensive end

[@That-One-Spy-Main]

​@@velipulla3936 Still 34/19/7 Had the most impact

[@2uzu]

@@velipulla3936never should’ve had to shoot that much but 3rd leading scorer had like 8 points on 12 shots and he played whole game

[@Kizamusic]

@@oni_vergil7342 Jamal didn't show up for the second half. Typical of Jamal this playoffs. He was only every good for either 1 quarter or 1 half most this run

[@respecttheface7152]

612 in the building let's gooooo TIMBERWOLVES 🐺

[@jonq.public5892]

The sports media asks some of the strangest questions.

[@mkw5398]

Nah, a lot of the questions were surprisingly great

[@velipulla3936]

Theyre good

[@Cofitube94]

Good question, bad timing. They just need to learn to read the room. Some questions are better asked at the exit interview not right after a game

[@DIBSonMandyRose]

Humble when he wins, gracious when he loses. Jokic is a consummate Professional

[@user-qm8qq6kp5c]

What a humble dude.

[@MrLobe65]

I love Nikola very honest guy

[@jonwill]

A true champion.

[@jrocks4230]

We are all in for great years of B Ball to come! Wolves and nuggs battling it out in playoffs is epic!!

[@ReneSauseda-pl3dh]

Aye joker is still cold as hell I ain't gon lie tho that boy ant is something else entirely they both built different

[@jayemlei26]

There's another year. So it's okay. Heartbroken too as a new fan since I've never been a fan of anything. Hate the emotional investment that goes with it. But yeah, let's try again next year.

[@soccerplyr8]

Jokic and Murray over 30 each and nobody else did anything. Now you know how lakers felt when ad and LeBron dominated round 1

[@theindieplanet1677]

This went to 7 games. Lakers almost got swept. Not close

[@soccerplyr8]

@@theindieplanet1677 Lakers dominated every game. Had 15 point leads. No idea how a team has that much luck.

[@connorgames6232]

@@soccerplyr8the lakers lost 4-1. They did not dominate.

[@elatagalog-rm4vp]

It's okey joker see u next season❤

[@broski991]

6:00 blud was really excited to go home. Respect!

[@stephonmoore6353]

Finally a superstar that’s not delusional he’s right if a team beats you in a 7 GAME SERIES THEY ARE THE BETTER TEAM

[@washboy]

Class.

[@TheYouTubeBusiness]

Jordan had 2 3peats, and bron had 10 straight finals games, one back to back. It’s different up there, being great is tough

[@VijayThakurMD]

Don't sneak lebum in

[@Big_talks.]

Jordan also swept a lot in first round my guy

[@TheYouTubeBusiness]

@@VijayThakurMD 🤣😂 if it wasn’t KD, bron would have like 7 chips by now 🤣

[@VijayThakurMD]

@@TheKZbinBusiness "not one not two not three......" Sure buddy

[@Cediedash22]

Without Scottie Mj is ass​@@VijayThakurMD

[@4evahodlingdoge226]

I hope they get back Bruce Brown jr this summer and Jamal Murray not being healthy was huge.

[@darkopecanac5533]

This downfall was of Nuggets own making that started with Game 6 loss. Getting humiliated by losing by 45 points and giving opposing team all the momentum, i knew that we were going to lose game 7. 2 players posted 69/90 of Nuggets points while no one else showed up. Nuggets shot themselves in the foot and they deserve all the criticism because these last 2 games were beyond pathetic. Twolves need to worry because they have a lot of issues they need to fix. Aside from Edwards being very inconsistent with his game especially for the position he plays, their defense has way too many holes that Mavericks are very good isolating and using to their advantage. There is a very good chance that Minnesota will break just like the Nuggets and lose to Mavericks defense and offense.

[@colelang0572]

Love colorado, I feel bad they wont get a championship in the nba or nhl but honestly the wolves and the stars need it more this year

[@avrry.m]

i just don’t see the mavs getting past the wolves defense

[@loubensoctave3986]

They will lose in 6 games

[@anewman]

@@loubensoctave3986 mavs will lose in 5

[@mkw5398]

​@@loubensoctave3986HELL NO, THE MAVS WILL WIN IN 6!

[@mkw5398]

The mavs are MOST DEFINITELY getting past that EXTREMELY OVERRATED DEFENSE, DALLAS IN 6

[@tonomata8272]

You know that people should not underestimate the Mavs but I believe you wolves could destroy Mavs we will see on Wednesday or Thusday idk

[@murtjo9873]

The Joker is CLASSY. The T-Wolves are a BEAST (should be faves to win it all). I'd be surprised if the Nuggets don't get another chip (as long as they've got the Joker).

[@AdreanStyles09]

The coach should’ve sat him little more in the first half when they were up I know this man was fatigued, playing the whole game and being the timberwolves target on offense and defense.

[@milkajovankabroz7111]

Целу сезону је носио Денвер на леђима без Мареја.

[@ramonalcantara768]

Mad respect for Jokic he doesn't care if they lose as long his horses are fine 😁😁

[@PullinMyOwn]

0 respect for your unoriginal and ignorant comment.

[@sebi1694]

Yeah Minnesota weiter 🎉🎉

[@Codpositive]

14 points in 3rd quarter is just mafia!

[@brettross1396]

And good back up center..

[@itsjayn4538]

such a tuff line-up to stop the joker , too many bigs ... and the stats just show how hard it is to repeat nowadays, almost all teams are on a similar level and even an average bench player can go for 25 in a random play off game ... the NBA is just so lit at the moment

[@cocoqtpi]

not rlly a nuggets fan but jokic just a cool dude wish the best for him, gave it his all as the MVP this year

[@Sharni-lm4nn]

Famo the wolves are goated🎉

[@GameArmorGameplay]

Joker low key happy to be going home and racing his horses.

[@ednis32]

More years of this rivalry. What a time

[@bait6652]

Funny how people laughed when wolves created a twintowers...thought jazz demise was equal parts gobert and mitchell... Disappointed that nuggets didnt repeat but twintower passing is awesome

[@Headacxess]

Why nobody else stepped up besides Murray and jokic 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@stolensentience]

not sure why ant still talking that mess when he was outplayed by like 5 people including the one he yappin at

[@ismaelbalbido9609]

There still mavericks bff of Jokic, let us support team of Doncic n Irving

[@AJ-iu6nw]

European players 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@AJ-iu6nw]

Kyrie is whatever tbh

[@PullinMyOwn]

Letting Conley get 8 boards…giving up so many offensive boards in the 2nd half…MPJ missing open shots n forcing bad ones…AG with only 4 boards…not trying to put the foot on their throats…guys trying to pass out of open shots in the paint (Braun looking at you)…that’s why WE lost not why they won

[@39mack23]

True champ

[@aaporter1028]

lol all the wolves fans..get a ring first then yall can talk cause yall will finally be equal to us ..good win tho

[@xaviorteow8551]

Finally can back home ridding horses😎

[@MikeMikey-mj3ms]

Only guy with balls is fucking Jokic🇷🇸💪

[@Sheknowdevo]

Damn

[@Hello-yi1wz]

Wolve lineup is like lakers 2020

[@kinggamerz2838]

And people wanna downplay Jordan’s greatness with having 2 3 peats in his era

[@j_.kai___]

His era is weak af

[@kb-is1jn]

Dude get over jordan already he retires 30 years ago damn what are your goals in life just talk about jordan all your life

[@loubensoctave3986]

Weak era.

[@Yute01]

​@@j_.kai___Clyde, Stockton, Karl Malone, Hakeem, Barkley, Robinson, Ewing, Reggie, Hardaway, Shaq...I think you forgot all these guys played in the 90s lol, just because it was revolved around elite bigs, doesn't mean it was weak. I will say it was weaker than the league is now though.

[@kinggamerz2838]

@@kb-is1jn the point is repeating a finals win is hard asf to do and to do it 3 times is even more crazy so we should give praise to all who do achieve back to back finals wins

[@rohoderichronase6427]

I'm happy with jokic no more final game, he will be go home and be with his horse

[@oleyullah]

Tyson Fury could learn from the Joker a thing or two about humility and good sportsmanship in face of a defeat

[@bedipuss123]

Jokic already on that plane back home

[@GiriRam]

Interviewer Question: Nikola does it hurt more that it ended on the home floor and you guys struggled a little bit Should have answered: No it was a party for us, we were drinking in the locker room and celebrating it 🤣

[@awesomeninja234]

The Timberwolves defense is too good. The Nuggets never pushed the pace to get easy opportunities in transition

[@siler22]

And Nuggets were built by Jokic please carry us and hoping that late rookie picks developt into rotation worthy players, no aggressive moves no changes front thier front office just sit back and do nothing

[@awesomeninja234]

Needs more help. The front office should get another all star

[@amendo747]

Jokic is happy he’s going to see his horses 😂

[@StormzMagic]

😂

[@adrianwong3104]

he wanted to see the other horse (mavs) but sadly he need to be back to his stable now..

[@PullinMyOwn]

Congratulations you’re the 1,000,000th idiot to make that comment

[@Yeaidoubtit]

Jokic is that player that you love to watch him play, just not against your team 😂😂

[@realnsenpai]

Well if Minnesota's current president and coach worked for the nuggets then it's obvious that they know how to beat the nuggets

[@mkw5398]

BULLSHIT, denver were up 20 in the 3rd, it was Mike malone's failure to adjust that doomed them, denver were meant to win

[@tdaniels151]

There are tons of coaches that were on warriors staff and didn’t beat the warriors with other teams. The wolves just won. We don’t need to say they won because of us.

[@Balsohard806]

I keep saying the winner of this series will be champs this year unless the refs dictate the finals. Denver is that team even though they lost, it’s just hard to beat The Joker, Gordon, and Murray in a 7 game series. It takes a special team with a beast like Edwards to accomplish that.

[@user-xz7rm1cs4m]

Hi nba

[@kordygaffaney8078]

Its true. That's the exact reason they will get shot out of the gym from 3 if they play the Celtics. Nuggets would have won if kcp or jokic or mpj could hit a 3. Three point shooting is the key to beating this wolves team. Luka has experience shooting out the jazz when they had Rudy so it'll be interesting to see. It will be hard for them to guard the wolves but I also think they will shoot better from 3 than the nuggets did this series. Their role players let them down. KCP and mpj gotta shoot better and they also got no bench at all. This series showed how much Bruce Brown ment to this team

[@tonyh8371]

Major reason for last year's chip was out shooting. The whole starting 5 was reliable enough to hit a 3 once in a while. I still believe we got lucky with Miami, because our 3s stopped working, but we managed to beat on a less talented team. Our shooting disappeared this year. Never consistent. Jokic's shooting was terrible. MPJ, for a 3 specialist, was horrid. KCP was most consistent, but it was far and few between. Murray was streaky. Hell, don't know if Brown would've made difference, cuz his production tailed off this year as well. I think last year was an outlier shooting year coupled with easy playoff matchups. I don't see this team going back to finals any time soon.

[@antimonitor7768]

Jokic took the “ he will drop 50, 25 and 15 for revenge “ and said “ nah “

[@jskelly1979]

LeBum would never speak like this, he would blame all his teammates and try to talk about how much of the weight was on his shoulders. RESPECT to Jokic and the Nuggets for gracefully accepting this loss. Congrats to the Timberwolves for winning too, that was a amazing series performance!

[@mago97615]

Lebum ? Another casual with 0 knowledge

[@Lumensensus]

LeBron would never lose a game 7 to begin with 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@KathrynFloyd-sl1pz]

We can tell who you are!

[@Creamdesal]

I was a fan but now I'm an air-conditioned unit

[@kingjofferyjoe3143]

Jesus Christ 🤦🏾‍♂️get off his 🍆😂😂

[@stolensentience]

nt with that stolen comment lol

[@Creamdesal]

@@stolensentience womp womp

[@stolensentience]

@@Creamdesal unless you a very large person with ac blowing on them

[@darioz5894]

Nikola is a class act 👍

[@Blake4ktslime]

Yeah 3 centers on one center

[@ST-tf4sq]

Dude beyond murray and Jokic no one had a double digit.. clearly they need deeper bench.

[@Michael-vn2jj]

Joel Embiid needs to take notes on how a leader should speak after a loss

[@ismaelbalbido9609]

Its ok for the nuggets not all the times winning the game sometimes you lose, thats the part of the game

[@claradavis8555]

Goodbye Denver nuggets and hello Minnesota Timberwolves

[@chrissanagustin1395]

2nd half uh uh we were uh sleepin a little bit..anyway we're up 20 pts...

[@lukelee3]

Jokic is great and kcp is humble. F*ck the rest of the nuggets. 😂😂😂😂

[@THECLAYDAVIS-DOWNTOWNCLAYDAVIS]

Look at this dude telling it like it is. LeExcuse would've had some serious excuses by now 💀💀

[@reuelmiguelperez2376]

Lacked ball rotation in 2nd half and they know it. How many possessions did it look like this? Jamal ran around inside Then come around and pass the ball to Jokic with 5 seconds left

[@onlyfacts3178]

Wolves 15 FT attempts in the 4th.. NUGGETS 2 FT attempts in the 4th... JOKIC did his part 14 points in the last minutes.

[@GreekSneakCollector]

Huge series by Ant-Man but so far the MVPs of the Wolves are Reid and McDaniels!

[@Raarya-wc4vc]

Mo way

[@bogdanmihai7795]

We will get it in the next season anyways

[@le-christianhermosahermosa6636]

Yearly most of nba team's have some asjustment..they draft, they got new players, they trying to make strong their respective team..

[@starman1994]

Defense wins.