Nuggets take high road over Timberwolves player's brash trash talk

In the latest chapter of the Denver Nuggets' and Minnesota Timberwolves' heated rivalry, Jaden McDaniels did not mince his words after Minnesota's Game 2 victory. In an episode of old-school, brazen trash talk we don't see too often in the NBA these days, the veteran forward called out Denver's entire starting lineup by name, saying they're all "bad defenders."

With over a day to stew on McDaniels' challenge, the Nuggets finally had their chance to respond to his assertion during their media availability on Wednesday before this series shifts to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4 over the weekend.

Notably, rather than say anything inflammatory in response, everyone who spoke for Denver took the high road.

There was head coach David Adelman. He pointed out that, statistically, Denver has been one of the NBA's best playoff defenses so far, brushing off McDaniels for "helping his social media" with his comments before moving on to the next line of dialogue:

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

When it came to Nuggets player representatives, both guard Christian Braun and forward Cam Johnson took the same tact with McDaniels.

In essence: "Let them talk. Let them believe what they want. There's nothing more to say. We'll settle this on the court."

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