The Denver Nuggets' season slammed to a halt Thursday night in Minneapolis, where a 110-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 at Target Center knocked them out in the first round. A series that swung back and forth ended with Denver on the wrong side of the handshake line, leaving fans and downtown businesses to immediately start wondering what comes next for a franchise accustomed to being in the mix.
Timberwolves close the door in Game 6
Minnesota wrapped up the series with a balanced offense and a breakout performance from Jaden McDaniels, who tied his career high with 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the 110-98 clincher that sealed a 4-2 series win. The outcome stung even more given the injuries that shadowed the matchup and Denver's shaky depth in some key stretches. As Heavy noted, McDaniels' box-score line headlined the night and effectively slammed the door on the Nuggets' season.
Fans turn frustration into offseason demands
Back in Denver, the reaction blended frustration with pointed advice for the front office. "This season has been really up and down, really good at the beginning, lot of injuries which kind of forced us down," one fan said, according to Denver7. Others told the outlet that when the team regroups this summer, the coaching situation would be an obvious place to start if changes are coming.
Playoff buzz fades for downtown businesses
While it lasted, the Nuggets' playoff run was a shot in the arm for downtown. Now, some spots are bracing for a quieter stretch. At McGregor Square, the COO said the postseason energy "has everyone...turning it up this year," while Downtown Denver Partnerships pointed out that sports "have a ripple effect" on restaurants and retailers, as reported by Denver7. The plaza and nearby bars saw a noticeable bump in foot traffic during home games, the outlet added, a bump that is about to flatten out.
What’s next
With the Nuggets heading into offseason mode, Minnesota advances to the Western Conference semifinals. Yahoo Sports reported that the Timberwolves will face the Spurs next. For Denver, the to-do list starts immediately: sort through lingering injuries, decide how to approach coaching and roster decisions, and sketch out a plan to fight their way back into contention after a first-round exit.
