Bones Hyland Fuels Timberwolves-Nuggets Rivalry With Message After Game 6

The No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves sent the No. 3 seed Denver Nuggets home with a closeout win in Game 6 on Thursday night.

The first-round series, which ended in a 4-2 victory for Minnesota, furthered the growing rivalry between these Western Conference foes.

Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland has been on both sides of this rivalry in his young NBA career. In 2023, Minnesota traded Hyland to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a four-team deal including the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. The 2021 first-round pick was later traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where he was released in 2025.

Hyland was then picked up by the Timberwolves, who gave him a shot and re-signed him before the 2025-26 NBA season.

Hyland sent a clear message after his team’s Game 6 win over the Nuggets.

“3 years ago they traded me. 3 years fast forward we eliminated them. I love you Minny! Wolves in 6,” he wrote on social media

Hyland appeared in 71 regular-season games for the Timberwolves in 2025-26, averaging 8.5 points through 16.6 minutes per game. Despite a slew of back-court injuries for Minnesota, he played just nine minutes in Game 6 - recording three points, two rebounds and one assist.

Jaden McDaniels led the way for the Timberwolves on Thursday night, scoring a game-high 32 points while locking down Nuggets guard Jamal Murray on defense. Second-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr. also had a stellar game, notching 24 points for Minnesota.

The Timberwolves will now advance to matchup against the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs in the second round.

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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 5:31 PM.