Following a Game 2 victory over the Denver Nuggets, Jaden McDaniels shared a brutally honest assessment of his opponent.
When asked about the Timberwolves’ offensive game plan, McDaniels was straightforward: go at the bad defenders.
Who might that be? According to the veteran forward, everybody.
âGo at Jokic, Jamal, all the bad defenders. Tim Hardaway, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, their whole team,â McDaniels stated bluntly. âTheyâre all bad defenders.â
GettyNikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets boxes out Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.
The Nuggets pretty much brushed off McDaniels’ comment. They are focused on Game 3, and don’t want to get caught up in off-court comments and drama.
For the most part, fans and analysts got a kick out of McDaniels’ move, but the NBA legend Charles Barkley wasn’t as amused. While he understands the competitive side of the game, being a longtime player himself, Barkley isn’t a fan of McDaniels’ move.
Charles Barkley Comments On Jaden McDaniels Calling Out The Nuggets
GettyWEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 26: Commentator Charles Barkley looks on during Capital One’s The Match IX at The Park West Palm on February 26, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images for The Match)
âYou donât poke the bear,” Barkley said on Wednesday.
“You can think that. Weâve all said stuff in the locker room, and coaches said it to players, and players said it to coaches, but I donât think you poke the bear in the middle of a series. Itâs not about being scared. Itâs hard enough to win. He can say it if he wants to. I donât think he shouldâve said it, personally. Thatâs my personal opinion.â
Since the end of Game 1, McDaniels showed little fear in firing off comments that could be viewed as bulletin board material.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 21: Nikola JokiÄ #15 of the Denver Nuggets in action during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on November 21, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Despite losing the first outing of the series, McDaniels was so impressed with Rudy Gobert’s defense on Nikola Jokic that he told reporters if the Defensive Player of the Year winner keeps playing defense like that, the Timberwolves would win the series.
To no surprise, the postgame comments after Game 2 were much stronger and more direct. Now, the series is tied 1-1 and will take place over the next two games in Minnesota.
Game 3 between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves is set to take place on Thursday, April 23, tipping off at 9:30 PM ET.
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