The Denver Nuggets were a popular pick to repeat as champion, but they were ultimately eliminated in the second round by a Minnesota Timberwolves team with the requisite size and defense to slow down three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

While Anthony Edwards Karl-Anthony Towns, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid were in place before the arrival of Tim Connelly, the former Nuggets' executive traded for both Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley with the roster being particularly well suited to play against Denver.

"I mean, I think they're built to beat us," Jokic said. "Just look at their roster. They have basically two All-Stars, two probably first-team defensive players. Mike Conley is the most underrated player in the NBA, probably.

"From the bench, they have a Sixth Man of the Year. ... [They are] one team that they can do literally everything. They can be big, small."

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said he's committed to playing for Canada at this summer's Olympics in France. Murray has missed previous competitions due to injuries, but seems to feel he's healthy enough to suit up this summer.

Murray has yet to play for the senior Canadian national team. He was set to join the Nuggets for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but did not play after the Nuggets run to the 2023 NBA title.

Jamal Murray was limited by a right elbow injury during the Denver Nuggets Game 6 blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The good news for the Nuggets is that the injury doesn't seem to be carrying over to the do-or-die Game 7.

After practice ahead of Game 7 in Denver, Murray stayed late to get up extra shots. Nuggets coach Michael Malone said that Murray "feels great" and that his star guard "looked very hungry today".

"Look like he hadn't eaten in two days," Malone said about Murray. "So hopefully that carries over tomorrow. I hope he doesn't eat until tomorrow until 6:00 p.m."

Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged a 2.8 rating with 5.61 million viewers on TNT.

The number is up 19% in viewership from last year, making it the most-watched series in the second round.

Game 3 of the series averaged 5.21 million viewers.

Game 4 of the Pacers-Knicks series averaged 5.03 million viewers on ABC, down 1% in viewership from last year.

Friday night's Game 3 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged 5.21 million viewers on ESPN.

The number is up 10% from the Nuggets-Suns matchup last year and is the fourth most-watched game of the playoffs.

The Nuggets have played in four out of the six most-watched games in the playoffs.

After his frustration level reached a boiling point in Game 2, Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets have bounced back to tie the series at 2-2 by winning both games at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Murray appears to be have his confidence back, which did not go unnoticed by Anthony Edwards.

As the game ended, Edwards and Murray crossed paths with the Wolves' star clapping his hands, nodding his head and watching Murray.

"I just told his ass we love that," said Edwards after Game 4. "'Keep talking [like] that. That's what we like.' Well, I loved it. He didn't say nothing back. But I'm pretty sure he heard me. They heard me. You live for that."

Murray had 19 points in the game, including a 55-footer to beat the halftime buzzer.

Nikola Jokic has been named the 23-24 NBA Most Valuable Player, winning the award for the third time in his career.

Jokic is the ninth player to win the award three or more times in his career.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished second ahead of Luka Doncic at third. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jalen Brunson rounded out the top-5.

Jokic received 79 first place votes, 18 second place votes and two third place votes.

Gilgeous-Alexander received 15 first place votes, 40 second place votes, 40 third place votes, three fourth place votes and one fifth place votes.

Doncic received four first place votes, 36 second place votes, 50 third place votes and eight fourth place votes. 

Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, Domantas Sabonis and Kevin Durant also received votes.

Jamal Murray has been fined $100,000 for throwing multiple objects in the direction of a game official during live play.

Murray’s actions took place during the Nuggets’ 106-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of their conference semifinals playoff series on May 6 at Ball Arena.

Jamal Murray threw a heating pad on the floor during the middle of a possession in the Denver Nuggets' 106-80 Game 2 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Referee Marc Davis said after the game that Murray should have been assessed a technical foul, but not been ejected for the incident.

"I was the lead official, and I didn't notice it was on the floor or where it came from until Towns scored," Davis told a pool reporter. "We weren't aware it had come from the bench. If we would have been aware it came from the bench, we could have reviewed it under the hostile act trigger. The penalty would have been a technical foul."

Chris Finch called Murray's act "dangerous" and "inexcusable" and said the Wolves attempted to reason with the officiating crew to adjudicate the incident.

"We tried to impress upon [the referees] there probably aren't many fans in the building that have a heat pack, so it probably had to come from the bench, which they found logical," Finch said. "I'm sure it was a mistake and an oversight and nothing intentional by the officiating at all, but certainly can't allow that to happen."

Host Danny Leroux talks with Kevin Pelton of ESPN (@kpelton.bsky.social) about the NBA playoffs.

They break down each of the four second-round series in terms of the key matchups, swing factors and much more plus other NBA discussion.

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