Jaden McDaniels had one of the worst games by individual players in the 2025 NBA playoffs.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were totally embarrassed by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
From the moment the game turned over, the Thunder’s incredible defense held the Timberwolves down. Stephen A. Smith had predicted that the Thunder defense would win them the game and the NBA Finals spot.
But even he could not predict how bad the Timberwolve would be. In fact, the Thunder held the Timberwolves at the second-lowest point in half of playoff history.
NBA fans were able to identify Jayden McDaniels, the key perpetrator of the Timberwolves’ poor offense.
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NBA fans took advantage of X to discuss Jaden McDaniels’ awful performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5.
One fan wrote, “Jayden McDaniels is now 2/13. I don’t think one of those 19 shots was contested…”
Another was shocked to see how poor he performed, but insisted that “Jaden McDaniels tried six shots in the first five minutes, but didn’t make one.”
Fans had harsh words to the Timberwolves star, saying “Jayden McDaniels played like hot trash.”
The lack of defensive pressure on McDaniels shocked one fan who wrote, “They keep Jaden McDaniels open and he’s losing all his shots.”
The hyperbolic path continues, with another fan claiming, “What is Jaden McDaniels trying to prove? Is he the worst basketball player in NBA history?”
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Jaden McDaniels has proven himself a valuable player for the Timberwolves this season. He was a juggernaut on both offensive and defensive sides of the court.
But tonight we didn’t get a glimpse of the stars that were so bright during the regular season. This is an unacceptable performance from McDaniels.
He has to go home this offseason and make major adjustments, both physically and mentally, to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
The Timberwolves front office may even consider McDaniels trading this offseason and upgrading the roster around Anthony Edwards.