The Minnesota Timberwolves' season ended weeks ago, and in triumph. It was the night of their 47th win and the last gasp of the regular season—a momentous game pushed to overtime by the Denver Nuggets. The two teams had posted identical records through 81 games and identical scores after another four quarters with a playoff berth on the line. All the angst baked into Minnesota basketball came to bear. And when the moment came, every one of the Wolves' principal contributors had their moment.
Karl-Anthony Towns traded baskets with Nikola Jokic to keep the dream alive. Taj Gibson tracked Jokic to the corner at the end of regulation and stripped him before he could throw up even a fading, desperate attempt.