It went a little unnoticed but last season, the Wolves were deprived of two major players during the first round against the Nuggets: Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid. The first had broken his hand stupidly by hitting a wall the evening of the altercation between Rudy Gobert and Kyle Anderson.
Since then, everyone has mended and left the infirmary, and the Wolves took a big step towards qualification by winning in the second round against the Suns. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns discreet in attack, it was the second knives who shone, like Mike Conley (18 points) and especially Jaden McDaniels (25 points).
“Last year I didn't play and I couldn't wait to play the first game and the next one”explains the winger, whom the Wolves had extended for $136 million over five years! “Being in this environment and making the playoffs feels like a dream come true. It's like a dream come true for me. I hate to miss this. »
Start of trouble with Devin Booker
Remarkable in defense on Kevin Durant, the Wolves winger quite simply signed his best career match in the playoffs, 10 out of 17 on shots, including 2 out of 4 from 3-point range, but also 8 rebounds and 3 assists. “ It’s clear that it’s not far from it” he answers when asked if it was his best career match. “To score 25 points in a playoff game, you can hardly ask for more. »
“Energizer” of the Wolves in the second quarter, Jaden McDaniels also distinguished himself by an early confusion with Devin Booker at the end of the first half, to the point of collecting a technical foul. But it is also him, in the last quarter, who will deal the final blow with his 3-pointer which will give a 19-point lead four minutes from the siren.
“He gives his all to every action, and sometimes we have to remind him that the game is not about 100 duels” explained Chris Finch before the meeting. “That’s how he approaches it. He wants to win every duel. We see how much it annoys him when someone gets the best of him. Of course, he learned more and more about these guys and their habits. He doesn't even give up on an action. He has everything you want from a first defender.”
Anthony Edwards a year ago: “They have KD, but we have Jaden McDaniels”
Qualities that Frank Vogel also recognizes. “He is incredible with his wingspan, his athleticism, his speed… He is a very great defender, and you have to attack him at the right time…” Same compliment from Kevin Durant, limited to 6 out of 15 on shots: “When he is overwhelmed, he is able to come back thanks to his stature. »
On arrival, a remarkable performance, and everyone has in mind the thoughts of Anthony Edwards when the Suns recovered Kevin Durant. “They have KD, but we have Jaden McDaniels” had launched the Wolves star. “Ant knew what he was talking about” smiles the X factor of the evening.
| Jaden McDaniels | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | MIN | 63 | 24 | 44.7 | 36.4 | 60.0 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 6.8 |
| 2021-22 | MIN | 70 | 26 | 46.0 | 31.7 | 80.3 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 9.2 |
| 2022-23 | MIN | 79 | 31 | 51.7 | 39.8 | 73.6 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 12.1 |
| 2023-24 | MIN | 72 | 29 | 48.9 | 33.7 | 72.2 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 10.5 |
| Total | 284 | 28 | 48.4 | 35.4 | 72.9 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 9.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
