Triple-Double King! Jokic Shatters Record as Nuggets Stun Timberwolves to Keep Season Alive

DENVER — The "Joker" has spoken. With their season on the line, the Denver Nuggets delivered a defiant 125-113 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Led by a historic performance from Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have trimmed the series deficit to 3-2, shifting the momentum back to Denver as they attempt a monumental 3-1 comeback.

The night belonged to Jokic, who etched his name deeper into the history books. The Serbian superstar recorded 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 16 assists, tying Russell Westbrook for the most combined regular-season and playoff triple-doubles in NBA history at 221.

The Nuggets Blitz

From the opening tip, Denver played with a desperation that was missing in Minneapolis. They shot a blistering 57% from the field, taking advantage of the high altitude and a depleted Timberwolves roster. The Nuggets seized control early, leading by 11 at halftime, and never let the lead slip below double digits in the final quarter.

Injury Woes for Minnesota

While Denver found their rhythm, the Timberwolves struggled to fill the void left by their superstar, Anthony Edwards. The "Ant-Man" was officially ruled out for Game 5 due to a knee hyperextension suffered in Game 4. Without their primary scoring threat, Minnesota relied heavily on Julius Randle and Ayo Dosunmu, but the Nuggets’ defense—buoyed by the home crowd—proved too suffocating.