Nikola Jokic’s triple-double powered Denver’s 125-113 Game 5 win over Minnesota, with Anthony Edwards absent due to injury and the Nuggets keeping their playoff run alive.
Denver staved off elimination with a statement 125-113 win over Minnesota in Game 5, giving Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets a vital breath of playoff air.
The Timberwolves arrived with a 3-1 series advantage but were rocked by injuries to two key contributors.. Anthony Edwards. a centerpiece of Minnesota’s offense. was sidelined. while Donte DiVincenzo was also unavailable after picking up an injury in Game 4.. Suddenly. Denver’s defensive matchups and Minnesota’s rhythm changed in a way that couldn’t be simply “plugged in” on the road.
Nikola Jokic made sure the Nuggets didn’t look like a team merely surviving.. He delivered a triple-double—27 points, 12 rebounds, and 16 assists—turning Denver’s half-court offense into something Minnesota struggled to contain.. Just as important, Jokic’s passing did more than rack up numbers.. He kept the floor spaced. punished help defense. and repeatedly set teammates up for shots that looked higher-quality than what the Wolves were willing to give.
Spencer Jones added 20 points and Jamal Murray scored 24, giving Denver a second layer behind Jokic’s playmaking.. Cam Johnson finished with 18 points. providing additional scoring that helped Denver sustain runs instead of trading buckets one possession at a time.. In a series that Minnesota entered with control. Denver’s ability to get multiple sources of offense mattered as the pressure shifted toward the home team’s standard defensive plan.
One of the biggest differences in the Game 5 turnaround came from efficiency.. Misryoum saw Denver’s offense improve noticeably—shooting far better than in the previous contest.. That shift wasn’t just luck.. When the Nuggets are hitting. their pace and shot selection become more comfortable. which also stresses a defense trying to stay connected to shooters.
For Minnesota, the impact of Edwards’ absence was felt in more than scoring.. His creation often forces the defense to play honest. and without that threat. rotations can tighten and contests can arrive earlier.. Even if Minnesota generated scoring opportunities. Denver’s shot-making and Jokic-led control of tempo meant Minnesota couldn’t consistently dictate the game’s rhythm.
This win carries context beyond the scoreboard.. Denver’s playoff identity has been clear for years. with Misryoum noting their run of reaching the postseason in eight straight seasons without a first-round exit since 2022.. Avoiding elimination in Game 5 isn’t just about one game—it’s about resetting confidence and protecting the culture of “not going quietly.”
What comes next is the series pivot that both fanbases will remember.. The winner of Nuggets-Wolves moves on to the Western Conference semifinals. where the opponent will be determined between the Spurs and Portland.. With that on the line. Game 6 becomes more than a chance to extend—it’s a referendum on whether Denver can sustain the defensive and offensive adjustments that kept them alive. or whether Minnesota can regain the edge that put them up 3-1.
Misryoum expects Thursday’s Game 6 in Minnesota to feel different, even before the opening tip.. The Wolves get their home floor back, and that matters for both crowd energy and lineup comfort.. Still. if the injuries linger. the pressure shifts again: Minnesota will need to manufacture offense without relying on Edwards’ typical gravity. while Denver will look to repeat the formula of efficient scoring and Jokic-driven orchestration.
For now, the message is unmistakable—Jokic and the Nuggets have forced the series to breathe, and Game 6 is no longer a formality.