Minnesota Timberwolves: What if … Andrew Wiggins missed those free throws?
By Ethan Becker
The outcome
The Denver Nuggets had been rolling for much of the fourth quarter and first overtime period. They had kept their foot on the gas, and a combination of killer defense and stellar 3-point shooting was slowly wearing the Minnesota Timberwolves down.
Now, with just 14 seconds left in the first overtime period, the Timberwolves just missed two key free throws with a fragile 108-106 lead and they had the wind knocked out of them.
With all the momentum on their side, the Nuggets march down the court and look to score. But, knowing that the Nuggets are on fire from 3, Andrew Wiggins intentionally fouls Jokic as soon as he gets the ball and sends him to the line for two. He makes them both.
The Timberwolves try to answer, but the Nuggets defense is too solid and this game rolls into double overtime. Minnesota is gassed by now, and the Nuggets prove to be too much to handle, as they overtake the Timberwolves 120-110 in double overtime.
The Denver team rushes the court to celebrate as Timberwolves fans begin to boo. Some of them are booing the celebrating opponents, who have just kept the Timberwolves out of the playoffs for a 14th straight season.
But others, these fans are booing the man they see as responsible. The man who missed the lead-clinching free throws, and who committed the foul that gave the Nuggets the chance to go into double-overtime.
They’re booing Andrew Wiggins.