Nuggets fans are facing a scenario they never imagined when the season began, and it's time for full-on panic mode after the Nuggets' 112-96 Game 4 collapse to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as seen in a trending post on r/nba. The Nuggets go down 3-1 in the best-of-seven first-round series, and an early exit is on the table.
Why it matters: The Nuggets' collapse in Game 4 raises serious concerns about their playoff viability. With key players struggling, the team faces a potential first-round exit.
The Game 4 collapse started in the third quarter with a "commentator" jinx.
Tim Legler on the broadcast said the Nuggets had only one turnover midway through the third quarter.
Two plays and two turnovers later, the lead was cut to one, and the momentum shifted.
Three minutes later, two more turnovers on consecutive trips down the court gave the Timberwolves a four-point lead they'd never relinquish.
Driving the news: The Nuggets allowed the Timberwolves to score 54 points in the paint during Game 4, a stark reminder of their defensive struggles throughout the season.
The Nuggets haven't been a good rim-protecting team, having allowed the most points in the paint of any playoff team coming into Game 4.
Turnovers have been a problem at times this season for Nikola Jokic, whose second of the game led to a Julius Randle dunk that energized the home crowd.
Rim protection was non-existent in the second half, allowing too many layups and dunks.
State of play: The Timberwolves capitalized on the Nuggets' mistakes, making the most of their opportunities.
Ayo Dosunmu set a Timberwolves record with 43 points off the bench in Game 4.
He shot 8-10 in the second half, including three easy layups that were instrumental in the Timberwolves' comeback.
The Timberwolves also lost Anthony Edwards due to a knee injury, which makes the Nuggets' loss even more disheartening.
The big picture: The Nuggets have a history of comebacks, but this situation feels different.
In years past, fans would have felt confident about a comeback, but doubts are creeping in this year.
The Nuggets lost a four-point halftime lead to a Timberwolves team without their leading scorer, Edwards, and starting point guard, Donte Divincenzo.
Jokic went silent in the fourth quarter, scoring just 4 points and going 0-6 from the floor.
What they're saying: Fans and analysts are expressing their concerns about the team's performance.
One commenter argued that the Nuggets have shown a lack of heart in this series.
A top-voted reply pointed out that Jokic's performance has been underwhelming compared to previous playoff runs.
By the numbers: The statistics from Game 4 highlight the Nuggets' struggles.
The Nuggets committed a total of 16 turnovers, which directly contributed to their loss.
They allowed 54 points in the paint, a stark increase from their first-half performance.
Jokic's shooting percentage in the fourth quarter was 0%, raising questions about his effectiveness under pressure.
What's next: The Nuggets must regroup quickly to avoid elimination.
Game 5 is scheduled for the upcoming weekend, where the Nuggets will need to win to stay alive in the playoffs.
Fans are hoping for a return to form from Jokic and a more cohesive team effort.
Coaches and players will need to address the issues that led to their Game 4 collapse to have any chance of advancing.
This article is grounded in a discussion trending on Reddit. Claims from the original post and comments may not represent independently verified reporting.