The Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated defending NBA champions the Denver Nuggets from the playoffs by defeating them 98-90 in the last game of their Western Conference semi-final series.
The Timberwolves trailed by 20 points in the third quarter before rallying to win game seven and the series 4-3.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels each scored 23 points for Minnesota, which will face the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.
The Indiana Pacers also advanced, defeating the New York Knicks 130-109 to win the Eastern Conference semi-finals 4-3.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 26 points for the visiting Pacers, who established an NBA playoff record by shooting 67.1% from the floor. They will now face the Boston Celtics.
Minnesota won their series for the third time in Denver, and the result advanced them to the Western Conference finals for the first time in 20 years.
As a result, they became the first team to win a game seven after trailing by more than 11 points at halftime.
“It showed us who we are,” said Anthony Edwards, who had 16 points for Minnesota.
“The coaches trusted in us, even in the third quarter, when we were down 20. When we truly concentrate in on defence, we’re a tough side to beat.”
The Nuggets’ title defence came to an end with Jamal Murray scoring 35 points and teammate Nikola Jokic adding 34 points.
“The teams are more hungry, better, and [more] talented than last year,” said Jokic, the season’s Most Valuable Player.
“Everyone gets better. Everyone wants to beat us, undoubtedly.”