Jaden McDaniels soared through the Nuggets’ defense for an emphatic jam. That was the statement to back up his explosive remarks from Game 2, where he publicly called out Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray as “all bad defenders” after Minnesota’s win. The Timberwolves’ reliable forward answered the pressure he put on himself with 20 points and 10 rebounds to take a 2-1 series lead. But even without the words, McDaniels would be just as charged up. All he needs to see is the Nuggets jersey in front of him.

“Just playing Denver really motivates us. That’s enough for real. Just playing against them, we don’t really care what they say, just the number and the name across their chest make us play like this,” Jaden McDaniels said about his inspiring performance in Game 3.

It’s the third time the teams have faced off in the postseason in the last four years. Each has won a series apiece, this being a decider of sorts. So, McDaniels isn’t concerned about how the players feel about him talking loudly and making pointed comments. For him and the Timberwolves, this is a rivalry that, whether in the regular season or the playoffs, will be intense on their side.

At least McDaniels continues to show it each time. He was doing it on both ends of the floor. “They put their second group in, and I was still picking up full court,” McDaniels added. Just watch his highlights when guarding Jamal Murray. From the time the possession started, the Timberwolves forward was right in his grill. Clearly, these matchups are personal for the dynamic wing.

That energy has translated to his teammates. The Timberwolves got some major contributions across the board. Ayo Dosunmu added 23 points and 9 assists, offsetting Anthony Edwards’ short night due to foul trouble- crucial since Edwards, the team’s playoff scoring engine averaging 28 points per game, was limited to just 24 minutes.

Furthermore, Rudy Gobert proved a point by holding Nikola Jokic to just 7-of-26 shooting from the field, silencing critics who questioned whether he could continue his Game 2 defense against Jokic’s shotmaking.

Jaden McDaniels’ presence is contagious

Jaden McDaniels’ presence is contagious. As a group, the Timberwolves were spectacular. They had a clear game plan: to be physical all night and attack the paint rather than prioritizing spacing; a smart adjustment targeting Denver’s slower rotations and weaker interior help defense, which had exposed Minnesota’s perimeter-heavy approach in Games 1 and 2.

But it started with McDaniels, scoring 9 points in the first eight minutes and recording a +12 point differential in the first quarter.

“We going to war with him,” said Dosunmu. “He led the way. Did a great job guarding Murray the whole game, full court, but the main thing we want to let him know we got his back… He’s telling us I’m here and I’m playing hard. And that’s contagious”.

That energy had a ripple effect throughout the team. If Jaden McDaniels was doing all the scrappy work, Minnesota followed his lead. Head coach Chris Finch called it a “special” performance, imperative to take a 2-1 lead in this series.

That experience- reaching two consecutive Western Conference Finals- has honed their battle-tested depth for cut-throat rivalries like this one against the former champions. But the team isn’t underestimating the Nuggets’ potential.

McDaniels expects them to come out stronger and with greater intent when they face off in Game 4 again in a few nights. But the Timberwolves are prepared to endure and adapt as the series progresses.

This series has clearly established Jaden McDaniels’ importance to this team, which has reached two consecutive Western Conference Finals. And they are as together now as they have been throughout the season.