Nuggets respond after Jaden McDaniels calls out team's 'bad defenders' after Game 1 upset: 'Let them talk'

The Minnesota Timberwolves must have been feeling good about themselves following Monday’s 119-115 upset win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of the first round of the NBA playoffs. Following the contest, Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels unloaded on Denver’s defense, saying the team is full of “bad defenders.”

The Nuggets were asked about those comments Wednesday, and mostly brushed them aside. Christian Braun gave perhaps the most measured approach, saying he believes McDaniels’ comments were all about stoking the rivalry between the two teams.

When asked whether those comments would light a fire under the Nuggets, Braun said a team shouldn’t be in a spot where it needs to light a fire during the postseason.

Christian Braun on the Jaden McDaniels comments roasting the Nuggets defenders by name: “It’s part of the rivalry…He’s kinda speaking his truth and what he believes. We’ll allow them to do that. We kinda want to take care of our own.” pic.twitter.com/RSFGoTEOJ4

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 22, 2026

Cam Johnson, one of the players McDaniels called out by name, said there’s been a lot of trash talk from Minnesota. He encouraged them to get it off their chests.

Cam Johnson was among the Nuggets who Jaden McDaniels called a “bad defender.”

Johnson: “They just been saying a lot. All season, all series. Let them talk. Let them get everything they want off their chest.” pic.twitter.com/EJHbWX2v7T

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 22, 2026

Nuggets head coach David Adelman took a different track, implying McDaniels was saying those things to help with his “podcast” or increase his “social media” views.

Adelman then asked what the Nuggets’ defensive rating was in the series so far before moving on to the next question.

Nuggets coach David Adelman on Jaden McDaniels calling the Nuggets defenders out by name

“I can’t wait for his podcast.”

“It’ll help his social media.”

“What’s our defensive rating in this series?”

109

“How is that?”

Sixth best in the playoffs

“Ok. Next.” pic.twitter.com/Kr6gKTbbWf

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 22, 2026

McDaniels’ comments came hours after Monday’s game. When asked what worked for the Timberwolves on offense, McDaniels decided to call out the Nuggets’ defense, saying “they’re all bad defenders.”

He specifically called out players like Tim Hardaway, Cam Johnson and Aaron Gordon before just saying “their whole team” is full of bad defenders.

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

Perhaps the best response to McDaniels’ comments came early Tuesday morning. When informed that he was on McDaniels’ list of bad defenders, Gordon responded by saying, “Brother, I don’t care.”

Monday’s win evened the series, making it 1-1 heading into Game 3. The two teams are scheduled to play again Thursday. While the Nuggets tried to downplay their response to McDaniels’ comments, the team could come out with a little more energy and emotion in Game 3.