The Denver Nuggets blew a 20-point second-half lead and fell 98-90 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Sunday night at Ball Arena, putting an end to their NBA title defense.

The Nuggets led 58-38 with 10:50 remaining in the third quarter, but the Timberwolves embarked on a 21-3 run over the following nine minutes, scoring 54 of the next 78 points.

Minnesota was behind 15 points at halftime, the greatest halftime deficit overcome in an NBA playoff game. The previous record was eleven.

Denver lost despite Nikola Jokic’s 34 points and 19 rebounds, and Jamal Murray’s 35 points, 24 of which came in the first half.

The Timberwolves won despite shooting 39% from the field and receiving a mediocre performance from their star. Anthony Edwards ended with 16 points on 6-for-24 shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels each scored 23 points for the Wolves.

Minnesota advances to the Western Conference Finals, where it will meet the No. 5-seed Dallas Mavericks, who defeated the No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in six games in their semifinal series.

With Denver’s loss, the last six defending NBA champions have failed to go beyond the second round of the following year’s playoffs.