In a highly charged matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves, all eyes were on Russell Westbrook as the final buzzer sounded, marking a dramatic ending to a thrilling contest. Westbrook, the 2017 NBA MVP, had a solid game with 12 points, six rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and two blocks, but it was the closing moments that drew the most scrutiny.
With the game in the balance, Westbrook faced a golden opportunity to finish strong. Unfortunately, his late-game layup attempt, which came with little opposition, missed its mark, denying the Nuggets a crucial bucket that could have shifted the outcome in their favor. To compound matters, Westbrook later committed a shooting foul during Minnesota’s final possession, which gave the Timberwolves a chance to seal the victory from the free-throw line.
Despite the focus on Westbrook’s late missteps, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was quick to defend his player, emphasizing that the loss didn’t rest solely on Westbrook’s shoulders. Following the game, Malone acknowledged Westbrook’s competitive nature, stating, “I also know who Russell Westbrook is, and he’s a guy that hates to lose. He may not want to hear any of that stuff, because he’s a perfectionist and he’s a competitor.” Malone made it clear that the loss was a collective effort, asserting, “We, as a collective group, lost the game tonight. [It was] not one player.”
The narrative of the game could have easily been overshadowed by these late-game errors, but it was also a night to recognize the remarkable performance of Nikola Jokic. The Serbian superstar put on a historic display, notching a jaw-dropping 61-point, 10-rebound, and 10-assist triple-double. Even in the wake of Westbrook’s crucial mistakes, Jokic remained supportive, insisting that Westbrook made the right decision in that critical two-on-one situation. “It was a layup. It was a two-on-one. I think it was the right decision,” Jokic remarked, highlighting the complexities of game-time choices.
As the dust settles, the focus will undoubtedly continue to be on Westbrook, a player with a storied career that has seen many ups and downs. How he bounces back from this experience could serve as an intriguing subplot as the Nuggets look to build on their performance, aiming to shake off the disappointment and refocus their efforts moving forward.
