Denver Nuggets Coach Michael Malone sends fiery message to team down 0-2

The Denver Nuggets aren’t used to being in this position.

The defending NBA Champions lost four games during last year’s playoff run. Only one series went more than five, a conference semifinals matchup with the Phoenix Suns that the Nuggets led 2-0.

Now the tables have flipped as Denver trails the Minnesota Timberwolves 2-0. But it’s not just your run-of-the-mill two-game playoff deficit. Minnesota has absolutely dominated the Nuggets in both contests.

Anthony Edwards went for 43 points in a 17-point Game 1 win in which Nikola Jokic shot 11-of-25 and had seven turnovers. After the loss, Jokic said he needs a clone of himself to deal with Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns.

In Game 2, the Timberwolves held Denver to just 80 points in a 26-point rout. Edwards and Towns each had 27 and even without Gobert, Jokic made only five shots and Jamal Murray went 3-for-18 before chucking a heating pack onto the floor.

The Nuggets look overwhelmed and lost, and their head coach sent a blunt message to his team heading toward Game 3.

Malone: Denver Nuggets must remember ‘we’re the reigning world champions’

Minnesota’s defense has suffocated and frustrated Jokic, who may be about to win his third MVP Award, and Murray, who’s already hit two game-winners this postseason. The Wolves have swarmed like, well, wolves.

But Denver has been the best offense in the NBA the last few seasons and Jokic is one of the best players in the world. He has a knack for making the right plays at the right time. As good as Minnesota has looked, Malone wanted to remind his team that the series is far from over:

This is about going out there and playing the game of basketball the way we have played for six years. I reminded our guys today, we’re the reigning world champions. Act like it and play like it.

It was a blunt and direct message and one that was not off the mark. It will be a tough hole to climb out of – losing the first two games of a series at home and needing to go on the road and win to keep your season alive.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone: “This is about going out there and playing the game of basketball the way we have played for six years. I reminded our guys today, we’re the reigning world champions. Act like it and play like it.” (🎥 @VicLombardi) pic.twitter.com/iN87j6Sxa2

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 8, 2024

If anyone has what it takes, though, it may be Malone’s Denver Nuggets.

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