DENVER — Nikola Jokic broke out of his shooting slump with 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds Monday night, steering the Denver Nuggets to a 125-113 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves and keeping their Western Conference first-round series alive.
The win trimmed the Timberwolves’ lead to 3-2 and set up Game 6 on Thursday in Minneapolis.
Needed response from Denver stars
Entering Game 5, Jokic had connected on just 39.1% of his shots in the series, while fellow All-Star Jamal Murray was also below 40%. Head coach David Adelman dismissed concerns, predicting his center would “play well,” and Jokic delivered with his 16 assists fueling a sharper offensive night.
Denver, which led the NBA in three-point percentage during the regular season (39.5%), had hit only 28.5% through the first four games. On Monday the Nuggets went 11-for-29 from deep (38%), highlighted by four threes and 20 points from Spencer Jones, starting for the injured Aaron Gordon. Cam Johnson added 18 points and three steals as Denver turned 25 Minnesota turnovers into 35 points.
Short-handed lineups on both sides
The Nuggets played without wing Peyton Watson (hamstring) for a fifth straight contest, and Gordon has been deactivated in two of the past three games because of a calf problem. Adelman said he has “no idea” whether either player will be available Thursday and is preparing as if both remain out.
Minnesota was already minus guard Donte DiVincenzo, who underwent surgery Sunday for a torn Achilles and is out for the season. All-Star Anthony Edwards is week-to-week with a bone bruise in his left knee and also missed Game 5.
McDaniels struggles amid hostile crowd
Forward Jaden McDaniels, who called several Nuggets “bad defenders” after Game 2 and tangled with Denver players late in Game 4, picked up two quick fouls Monday, finished 0-for-3 from beyond the arc and committed four turnovers. He was booed throughout the night. “It’s all fun to me,” McDaniels said. “We just have to get the job done next game, and there’s no more talking.”
The Timberwolves entered the night as 11-point underdogs but can still close out the series Thursday at Target Center. “Physicality, focus,” Jokic said of Denver’s mindset. “I have been here before. When you’re playing an elimination game, you need to be extremely focused.”
Source: ESPN
