Nikola Jokic’s triple-double performance has kept the Denver Nuggets’ play-off aspirations afloat, as they defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113.
Jokic, from Serbia, was joint top scorer with 27 points. He also contributed 12 rebounds and 16 assists.
Nuggets Respond After Trailing
The Nuggets had been trailing 3-1 as they hosted Minnesota at Ball Arena, Colorado. A defeat would have resulted in their elimination.
Jamal Murray added 24 points, aiding Denver in their comeback after three consecutive losses.
Murray stated, “We had to play like we was down 3-1.”
“I think we did a good job of bringing energy into the game and playing for 48 minutes, not letting up off the gas. That was a great team win.”
Looking Ahead to Game Six
Game six of the best-of-seven series is scheduled to take place on Thursday in Minneapolis.
Other NBA Play-off Action
Elsewhere, Cade Cunningham scored 25 points as the Detroit Pistons were defeated 94-88 by the Orlando Magic at Kia Center, Florida.
The Detroit Pistons trail 3-1 in the series and are close to play-off elimination.
The Orlando Magic have not progressed to the second round of the play-offs since 2010.
The Western Conference’s top seeds, the Oklahoma City Thunder, have secured their place in the second round after a 131-122 victory against the Phoenix Suns.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points. This sealed the Thunder’s 4-0 series win at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.
Gilgeous-Alexander said, “We just came in ready.”
“We do it for each other. None of us are selfish. We all want the next man to succeed and when you have those three things and put them together you get success.”
Oklahoma will now face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Houston Rockets in the second round. The Lakers currently lead that series 3-1.
Flagg Named Rookie of the Year
Cooper Flagg has been awarded the National college Player of the Year award in 2025.
Teenager Cooper Flagg was named the NBA Rookie of the Year, narrowly beating former Duke University room-mate Kon Knueppel to the award.
The 19-year-old is the second youngest player to win the award behind LeBron James.
“I think you talk about pressure and things like that, this season was a lot different going into it and what I was expecting and how the season ended up turning out,” Flagg said.
“I think dealing with that and adjusting and kind of getting thrown in on the fly right away like that helped me long-term and throughout the season, just getting really comfortable. I think I grew in a lot of different areas.”
Flagg was the number one pick in last year’s draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He has since repaid their faith.
The American averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He joins Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Luka Doncic as the only rookies to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists in the 50 seasons since the NBA-ABA merger.
Flagg beat Knueppel by just 26 points.
With game six of the Nuggets-Timberwolves series set for Thursday, the Nuggets will be hoping to carry their momentum forward.