Shaquille O’Neal Spares One Nuggets Star After Nikola Jokic & Co.’s Elimination: “He Played Well”

Apr 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) defends on Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Charles Barkley rightfully praised Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert for his defensive activity against Jokic throughout the series.

And while Jokic couldn’t find the spaces to impose himself, “His partner didn’t play well at all,” Shaq added. Jamal Murray had his worst performance of the series, scoring just 12 points in the closeout game. His inefficiency largely contributed to the Nuggets’ offensive struggles as Murray recorded the second-highest shot attempts.

The only player spared by the panel was Cam Johnson. The sharpshooter who arrived from the Brooklyn Nets over the summer struggled to begin the series. However, he was spotless tonight, scoring 27 points and making 50% of his three-pointers. “He played well tonight,” Shaq said about Johnson’s performance. His regular shot-making kept the Nuggets in the hunt.

But Minnesota was in no mood to allow that tonight. What they had much more than the Timberwolves was heart.

Jaden McDaniels: The MVP of the series

With an injury crisis looming over their heads, the Timberwolves needed to manufacture heroes. Several players stepped up. Terrence Shannon Jr. had his number called tonight with Ayo Dosunmu’s injury and contributed 24 points in the Timberwolves’ emphatic Game 6 win. Gobert rectified the criticism that continues to fall on his four DPOY honors. Even Julius Randle stepped up as the leader in establishing toughness with Edwards out.

But their fire started well before the injuries happened. Jaden McDaniels made the claim. “They are all bad defenders,” he said about the Nuggets. Chris Finch didn’t mind it. All he expected was McDaniels to back it up. That he did, making decisive contributions every time the Timberwolves needed it.

The two-way forward left his best for last. In Game 6, with the offense suffering another knock, McDaniels took the responsibility upon himself. He exploded for a game-high 32 points, alongside 10 rebounds and two steals. Aside from the scoring, the Wolves forward was the primary defender who suffocated Jamal Murray.

“He was really our MVP of the series,” said Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch.

This was a series the Timberwolves made ‘personal’. The competition with the Nuggets has always existed since their back-and-forth over the past four years. Jaden McDaniels’ comments brought the team together. The Timberwolves survived injury woes, and with a group of eight motivated players, upset the two seed in the West.

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