Like the rest of the Minnesota Timberwolves and their fanbase, Jaden McDaniels was frustrated by the state of the game on Thursday night.
With his team trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder, McDaniels made an impulsive decision that cost his Timberwolves.
Following the game, he talked to the press about why he decided to shove Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and earn himself a flagrant foul.
“I just wanted to foul him for real. I wasn’t even mad, I just had fouls to use,” McDaniels said, via Oh No He Didn’t and Hoop Central.
“I just wanted to foul him for real. I wasn’t even mad I just had fouls to use.”
— Jaden McDaniels on shoving Shai.
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 23, 2025
With a bit more than six minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves were down by a lot against the Thunder, and it looked like victory was slipping out of reach.
As Gilgeous-Alexander made his way up the court with the ball, McDaniels guarded and then trailed him.
When he got behind the reigning MVP, he shoved him in the back.
It wasn’t too hard of a shove, but it was enough to knock Gilgeous-Alexander down and get the attention of the refs, who immediately blew the whistle and cited McDaniels for a flagrant.
It sounds like McDaniels has no regrets about his actions and did it not because he was mad but because he simply had a foul to give.
Was that a smart idea, especially since it added to his team’s deficit?
Fans will debate the wisdom of McDaniel’s foul, but his frustration is understandable.
Minnesota wanted to walk away with a rebounding victory in Game 2, wishing to send a message that they can keep up with the best team in the West.
Instead, they got trounced and now sit in a 2-0 hole.
NEXT: Kendrick Perkins Says 1 NBA Playoff Team Is In Trouble
