After falling behind 2-0 in the series by losing both of their first two home games, the Denver Nuggets responded like the reigning champions. They went into a tough Minneapolis road environment in Games 3 and 4 and won both, tying up what sure feels like a budding classic second-round playoff series with the rival Minnesota Timberwolves.
It’s also starting to become clear that a healthy heat of competition is simmering. Look no further than Anthony Edwards’ interaction with Jamal Murray after Denver’s Game 4 victory.
READ MORE: Jamal Murray and Kevin Harlan had a special moment after a half-court buzzer-beater
The Timberwolves star was seen clapping his hands at Murray while saying something before denying the Nuggets star a simple handshake. In his postgame press conference, Edwards clarified what happened:
Anthony Edwards has words for Jamal Murray. 🗣️
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 13, 2024
Anthony Edwards on what he told Jamal Murray at the end of the game: "I just told his ass, we love that keep talkin' that, that's what we like" pic.twitter.com/3WahXtV432
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) May 13, 2024
So, in effect, Edwards encouraged Murray to keep talking trash and keep the competitive spirit up. We love that. This is professional sports! The athletes shouldn’t necessarily like each other between the lines. However, it’s unclear whether Murray actually said anything to Edwards in their postgame exchange. It might have been earlier in the game, if anything.
In fact, in their postgame interaction specifically, Murray appears to walk past Edwards with a nonverbal greeting, which is what the Timberwolves guard said happened.
If Edwards is somehow creating motivation for himself out of whatever this is, then this Nuggets-Timberwolves battle just got potentially a lot spicier.
