"Locked in and ready to play" — Nuggets' HC Michael Malone drops 'bigger' warning ahead of do-or-die Game 7 against T'Wolves

The Denver Nuggets suffered one of the most embarrassing losses in their franchise history on Thursday. Nuggets coach Michael Malone had issued a warning to his team after going 0-2 in the series. After the blowout loss in Game 6, the champion coach has alerted his team to stay ready for what’s coming in Game 7.

The Minnesota Timberwolves embarrassed Denver in Game 6, handing them a 45-point loss. The loss margin was the biggest in the team’s playoff history and the eighth-highest in the league’s history. This is also the biggest loss the defending champions have suffered in any of the playoff games.

After the loss, Malone told reporters in the postgame conference about the biggest issue for the Nuggets going into Game 7.

“To me, the much bigger issue is we have to do a much bigger job of being locked in and ready to play in Game 7…Those are two greatest words in sports, game 7,” he told reporters.

The Nuggets led at the beginning of the first quarter with a 2-9 score. However, the Timberwolves quickly went on a 9-0 run to take an 11-9 lead, and the defending champions couldn't regain a grip on the game. The Timberwolves' defense was reminiscent of their Game 2 suffocating defense, and Denver again succumbed to it.

Given how Nikola Jokic and his teammates reacted after going 0-2 in the series, Malone knows his team can win the series in the deciding game. The Nuggets had taken a 3-2 lead after dropping two initial games of the series.

Nikola Jokic calls Game 6 loss “a great loss” for Denver Nuggets

After dropping an almost 40-point triple-double in Game 5, Nikola Jokic had an average night against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. The reigning league MVP had 22 points while shooting 9-of-19 from the field and 0-of-4 from the three-point line.

Despite the blowout loss, Jokic didn’t seem that worried, as he was seen candidly talking to the reporters in the postgame interview. Commenting on the 45-point loss, Jokic remarked that it was a “great loss” for his team.

"They destroyed us. We should learn [from] it...I am taking this as a great loss,” Jokic said.

However, he also gave due credit to the Timberwolves for annihilating them in the game.

"They beat our ass...We have to accept it. When you lose by 45, it is not something that happens every day. Got to accept it,” added Jokic.

Despite an embarrassing loss, the Nuggets can’t really be counted out of the series. They are the defending champions and have shown that they can respond when their backs are against the wall.

Game 7 will be played at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday.