Nikola Jokić shines with 40-point outburst as Denver Nuggets edge ahead of Minnesota Timberwolves in playoff series
Witness the remarkable performance of three-time MVP Nikola Jokić as he leads the Denver Nuggets to a decisive 112-97 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs.
Nikola Jokić, recently named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the third time, showcased his skills and demonstrated why he deserved the award during the Denver Nuggets' 112-97 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs on Tuesday.
The Serbian center, who was honored with his third MVP title before the game, scored an impressive 40 points, dished out 13 assists without a single turnover, and grabbed seven rebounds. Thanks to his outstanding performance, Denver now leads the series 3-2, marking their first lead in this Western Conference semifinal.
Jokić's dismantling of Minnesota was particularly remarkable because he did it against the NBA's top defense and the newly crowned four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert.
Jokić's exceptional performance earned him praise from both teammates and opponents alike after the game.
Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon praised Jokić's performance, calling it "incredible." He expressed to reporters that the three-time MVP dominated the entire game in every aspect and played amazingly. Gordon was astounded by Jokić's performance, describing it as ridiculous.
Minnesota’s rising star, Anthony Edwards, expressed his admiration for Nikola Jokić, acknowledging the MVP's skills on the court. Edwards commented that he found no weaknesses in the team's defense, but Jokić's performance showcased why he is considered the best player in the NBA. Despite the challenge Jokić posed, Edwards maintained a positive attitude, stating that all he could do was laugh in awe of Jokić's talent.
Gordon had a standout performance tonight, so I wanted to acknowledge his excellent play. I wasn't sure what our game plan was supposed to be.
In the game, Gordon scored 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out five assists. On the other hand, Murray, Jokić's teammate, had a quieter night with 16 points and four assists in the victorious effort.
For the Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns scored a team-high 23 points to go with six rebounds and four assists, while Edwards was held to just 18 points on 5-for-15 shooting.
Jokić showed why he is the MVP.
Jokić showed why he is the MVP.
Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images
Defending champions Denver lost the first two games in the series at home. However, they have bounced back with three consecutive wins. They now have the opportunity to secure their spot in the Western Conference finals with a victory in Minneapolis on Thursday.
In NBA history, only five teams have managed to come back and win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two games at home. This showcases the resilience and determination needed to overcome such a challenging situation.
Denver head coach Michael Malone praised Nikola for his MVP performance despite the Game 2 loss. He believes Nikola has proven himself as one of the best players in the game over the last three games.
In a thrilling Game 5, Brunson scored 44 points to lead the Knicks to a significant victory over the Pacers.
Jalen Brunson had another outstanding playoff game, scoring 44 points to help the New York Knicks secure a dominant 121-91 victory against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
With this win, the Knicks are now ahead in the series with a 3-2 lead. A victory in Game 6 in Indianapolis on Friday night would secure their spot in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.
Brunson had a standout performance in Game 5, bouncing back from a rough Game 4. He not only scored 40 points but also contributed with seven assists and four rebounds. This makes him the player with the most 40-point games in this year's playoffs, surpassing even LeBron James' record of eight in the 2018 postseason, according to ESPN.
On the other side, Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 22 points. However, star guard Tyrese Haliburton had a quiet night, scoring only 13 points and attempting just nine shots throughout the game.
The home team has won every game in this series to date, so Indiana will likely be feeling confident it can extend this semifinal to a Game 7.
