They talked about the willowy basketball forward with the 1,000-yard stare as someone who maybe didn't step up as much as he should, who was a bit reckless with his actions at times, who seemingly had so much more to offer.

This was Jaden McDaniels six years ago as a freshman for the University of Washington basketball team, sort of an enigmatic presence for an underachieving group that finished 15-17 after beginning the season 11-4.

This also was the 6-foot-9 big man from Federal Way, Washington, who just led the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves to a 4-2 playoff series win over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night with his finest moment on the biggest stage.

His numbers: a career-best 32 points on 13-for-25 shooting, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block over 44 minutes in a 110-98 decision over Denver.

JADEN MCDANIELS TONIGHT:

32 POINTS

10 REBOUNDS

3 ASSISTS

2 STEALS

1 BLOCK

13/25 FGM

44 MINUTES

BACKED UP EVERY WORD.…