Jaden McDaniels scores with 1.3 seconds remaining and Nikola Jokic takes exception with it
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 29: Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves wears a shirt that says "Stand With Minnesota" during warmups prior to the start of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center on January 29, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Jaden McDaniels sure knows how to get under the Denver Nuggets‘ skin.
Since Game 1 of the first-round series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Nuggets, McDaniels has made it clear that his team had a great chance of pulling off the upset, and he wasn’t going to hold back in the process.
The conclusion of Saturday’s Game 4 matchup included an altercation between Jaden McDaniels and the Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
Jaden McDaniels scores with 1.3 seconds remaining and Nikola Jokic takes exception with it
Nine players on the court decided the game was settled in the final seconds. Meanwhile, McDaniels was on the other end putting up another two points to improve the Timberwolves’ late lead that was already out of reach.
Jokic rushed over to get a word off in an aggressive manner. Players from both sides got involved. After the game, McDaniels addressed the incident.
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 08: Anthony Edwards #5, Jaden McDaniels #3 and Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves react during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Target Center on January 08, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“I don’t know what he said to me,” the veteran forward told reporters in the locker room after the game. “I just seen someone that was big as hell.”
It’s clear that McDaniels broke one of the very few unwritten rules in basketball. However, his logic behind the decision was simple: the game is still on.
“The clock still be running, so I’m about to go score,” McDaniels said.
The veteran forward finished the game with 12 points on 4-11 shooting, eight rebounds, three assists, and one block in 33 minutes of action.
GettyPORTLAND, OREGON – FEBRUARY 20: Head coach David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets watches from the sideline during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on February 20, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
It was apparent that Jokic didn’t like the move put on by McDaniels. Neither did Denver’s head coach, David Adelman.
“I didn’t like what McDaniels did,” Adelman stated.
“The game was over, the game was conceded both ways. You know, in 2026, that stuff just doesn’t happen anymore. That’s something that happens in the ’80s, where teams would continue to score, but that’s who he is. If that’s what they want to do, then that’s what they want to do.”
McDaniels knows he added fuel to the fire, but he’s clarly embracing the villian role he’s playing in the first-round series.
“We want to keep playing as long as we can,” McDaniels concluded. “Knowing that we could’ve had a chance to win Game 1 if we played a little harder and a little smarter. Just got to come to play a couple of games.”
The Timberwolves are one win away from shutting the Nuggets down for the summer. Game 5 is set to take place in Colorado on Monday, April 27.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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