Looking as dominant as ever, Nikola Jokic has resurrected the Nuggets

Jokic accepted his third NBA MVP trophy, then had 40 points and 13 assists in the Nuggets’ series-tilting demolition of the Timberwolves.

Analysis by Ben GolliverStaff writer

May 15, 2024 at 7:02 a.m. EDT

DENVER — As NBA Commissioner Adam Silver handed Nikola Jokic his third MVP trophy, the Denver Nuggets center contorted his face into a barely perceptible grin for a photo op he probably would have preferred to skip. Jokic clutched the bronze statue while recognizing the Ball Arena crowd’s thunderous response, then set about manipulating the Minnesota Timberwolves’ front line as if it were another powerless object that could fit in his palms.

Nearly 21 feet of decorated big men were no match for Jokic during Denver’s 112-97 Game 5 win Tuesday in the Western Conference semifinals, a series-tipping victory that gave the Nuggets a 3-2 lead and pushed the Timberwolves to the brink of elimination just eight days after they had gone up 2-0 in the same building. Jokic posted 40 points, 13 assists, seven rebounds and zero turnovers in his best and highest-scoring performance of this postseason, pouring in 16 points during a third-quarter takeover and drilling a dagger three-pointer in Rudy Gobert’s face to send off the Timberwolves with one last indignity.

Gobert, the 7-foot-1 four-time defensive player of the year, had no chance against the Serbian superstar, who bull-rushed through him and tiptoed past him at will. Karl-Anthony Towns, a 7-foot all-star, and Naz Reid, the bruising 6-9 sixth man of the year, encountered similar fates. Minnesota mixed and matched the trio in various configurations to no avail: Jokic was too rugged, too nimble, too intelligent and too intent on reclaiming control of this series.

It’s still not clear what contributed to Jokic’s detached performance in a stunning Game 2 loss that plunged the Nuggets into a short-lived existential crisis, but he has resurrected their title defense with three consecutive statement wins that left the Timberwolves gawking in wonder.

“I just laugh,” Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards said. “That’s all I can do. I can’t be mad. He’s good, man. He’s the MVP. He’s the best player in the NBA. He showed it the last three games. He was special tonight. I have to give him his flowers. I don’t know what we were supposed to do. Yeah, he was that guy tonight.”

Jokic’s unmatched ability to toggle between creating high-percentage looks for himself and his teammates proved to be the difference in a tense contest in which neither team led by more than four points until shortly before halftime.

The Nuggets were plus-21 in his 41 minutes and minus-6 in his seven minutes off the court, and they needed his assertiveness with Jamal Murray (16 points) and Michael Porter Jr. (six points on 2-for-10 shooting) both having relatively quiet nights. Jokic’s handiwork deserved bonus points for degree of difficulty, because he remained the only traditional center in Denver’s rotation battling Minnesota’s front line.

“A loss like Game 2 can do a lot of different things,” Nuggets Coach Michael Malone said. “For us, it struck a nerve and reminded us to get back to doing what we do and how we do it. We’ve played like champions the last three games. That’s a far cry from who we were in Game 1 and 2. We’ll need even more of that to try to end this series.”

Minnesota’s offense couldn’t keep pace in Game 5 without point guard Mike Conley, who was scratched shortly before tip-off with an Achilles’ injury suffered late in Game 4. Without Conley’s outside shooting to provide spacing, Edwards was stuck facing regular double teams and a crowded court. The Timberwolves often fielded five-man lineups that included three non-shooters, a very difficult proposition against a high-level playoff opponent.

Edwards shot just 1 for 8 in the first half before finishing with 18 points on 5-for-15 shooting in his lowest-scoring and least-efficient showing of the series. The all-star guard, who logged 45 minutes in Game 4 and 44 minutes in Game 5, lacked his typical pop and appeared worn down at several key moments. With the Timberwolves needing to mount a comeback after halftime, Edwards didn’t attempt a shot in the first seven minutes of the third quarter and never summoned a response to Jokic.

Minnesota now returns to Target Center, where it dropped Games 3 and 4 in front of an eager crowd that wanted to see the franchise’s first Western Conference finals appearance since 2004. Timberwolves Coach Chris Finch said he was “hopeful” Conley would be available for Thursday’s Game 6; with or without Conley, Finch will need a more explosive showing from Edwards, who has three 40-point games this postseason.

Though Edwards offered deferential praise to Jokic, his self-confidence remained intact despite Minnesota’s first three-game losing streak of the season. After completing his postgame interview in the locker room, Edwards turned to a ballboy and declared: “See you for Game 7.”

To make good on those words, the Timberwolves must conjure more effective answers for Jokic, who Malone said boasts a Mensa-worthy understanding of the game. According to Finch, Minnesota will seek to improve its “early positioning” to prevent Jokic from getting to his favorite spots while also taking better care to defend his off-the-dribble attacks so he can’t build a full head of steam.

Before his backbreaking three over Gobert, the highlight of Jokic’s night was a stroll through the paint for a powerful dunk that saw him cock the ball behind his head with both hands. After keeping a straight face throughout the MVP trophy presentation, Jokic allowed himself a sly smile while recounting his rare aerial feat.

“I had an open lane,” he said. “I’m a freak of nature. Why not show my athleticism?”

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