The reason is simple.
In a night of dazzling brilliance, the Denver Nuggets triumphed over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a resounding 112-97 victory in Game 5. This splendid performance granted them a commanding 3-2 lead in the second-round series. They have now strung together three consecutive wins, including two on foreign courts, marking their first triumph at home in this series.
Denver’s resurgence has been nothing short of miraculous, emerging phoenix-like from the ashes of their early defeats, including a humbling 27-point loss in Game 2. They have completely overturned the narrative of this series.
Now, to the heart of the spectacle.
Nikola Jokić delivered an otherworldly performance, a symphony of skill and grace. He amassed 40 points on 15-of-22 shooting, orchestrated 13 assists, gathered 7 rebounds, and contributed 1 block and 2 steals. In a historic feat, he became the first player to score or assist on 70 points or more in a playoff game without a single turnover. This extraordinary display came mere hours after he was crowned with his third regular season MVP, much to the delight of the jubilant Ball Arena crowd.
"When he gets it going and he's doing that stupid one-legged, one-arm, behind the backboard stuff, I'm just going back on defense," Jamal Murray quipped. "He's amazing, just the way he picks apart the game, reads the game, and trusts his teammates... The game plan was just give him the ball and we'll figure it out."
This was undoubtedly one of the most magnificent postseason performances in recent memory, perhaps even ever, standing as a crowning jewel in Jokić's nine-year career.
Crucially, he achieved this against the league’s No.1 defense, a defensive bastion specifically designed to thwart him.
"He's ahead of everybody. He just knows everything," praised head coach Michael Malone. "He reads you and he knows how to counter almost everything you can throw at him, both individually and from a game plan standpoint. It's truly a joy to watch, and the best part is that he never forces the issue."
Aaron Gordon also shone brightly, filling the box score with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added to the brilliance, scoring 16 points and sinking 4-of-5 three-pointers.
Jokić led all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the first half. Despite his efforts, Minnesota stayed close, never allowing Denver’s lead to swell beyond 7 points. At the close of the half, Jokić and Jamal Murray executed a flawless two-man play, sending the Nuggets into the intermission with a 50-44 lead.
The third quarter commenced in a hush, but then Jokić ignited the court, scoring 16 points in the final six minutes. He did this by relentlessly challenging Rudy Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, both in the post and on the perimeter. This masterful surge granted Denver a 14-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Although Jokić began the fourth quarter on the bench, Malone swiftly reinserted him after two minutes of rest. Jokić responded by scoring five more points, including a stunning pull-up three-pointer, sealing the game in grand fashion.
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