Jaden McDaniels isn’t exactly a fan favorite in Mile High City.
The Minnesota Timberwolves forward has become a public enemy in the eyes of Denver Nuggets fans after he belittled the defensive abilities of Nuggets players following his team’s 119-114 win in Game 2 of the first-round series at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. Then in Game 4 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., he nearly sparked a brawl late in the contest when he went for a meaningless layup.
After winning Games 3 and 4 at Target Center, McDaniels and the Timberwolves looked to eliminate the Nuggets on Tuesday at Ball Arena but lost 125-113. McDaniels was relentlessly booed by the Denver crowd, but veteran Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. knew exactly what to say to lift his teammate’s spirits amid the hostile environment.
“I told him as much hate as you’re getting tonight, it’s gonna be about 100 times more love for you when you go back to Minnesota. So just know that,” Conley said, via podcaster Dane Moore.
Mike Conley when asked what he said to Jaden McDaniels during the game when he was getting booed.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) April 28, 2026
"I told him as much hate as you're getting tonight, it's gonna be about 100 times more love for you when you go back to Minnesota. So just know that." pic.twitter.com/PQZg42Mcpr
McDaniels likely expected the treatment he would receive from Nuggets fans heading into Game 5, and it may have affected him. He finished with 13 points on 5/11 shooting, which are good numbers, but also had five turnovers and was tied with Rudy Gobert for a game-worst minus-25 plus/minus.
Jaden McDaniels and the Timberwolves will look to have the last laugh on Wednesday, when they return to Target Center for Game 6.
