NBA: Nikola Jokic Leads Denver Nuggets Past Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113, Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

DENVER. Denver Nuggets avoided elimination in the NBA playoffs with a 125-113 victory over Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the series. Nikola Jokic led the way with a triple-double of 27 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds, cutting the series deficit to 3-2.

box score

Denver came out with urgency from the opening tip and capitalized on a very erratic start from Minnesota Timberwolves. The visiting team accumulated 14 turnovers in the first half, nine of them in the first quarter, which allowed the Nuggets to build an early lead. Jokic set the tone for the game and closed the second quarter with a deep three-pointer at the buzzer to establish a 60-51 halftime lead.

The Timberwolves, hampered by injuries, faced the matchup without their starting backcourt. Anthony Edwards remains sidelined following a left knee hyperextension suffered in Game 4, while Donte DiVincenzo was unavailable after tearing his right Achilles tendon. Still, Minnesota tried to stay alive thanks to the effort of Julius Randle, the leading scorer with 27 points, and Ayo Dosunmu, who added 18.

Denver Nuggets led by as much as 27 points, though Minnesota cut the deficit to 10 in the fourth quarter. That's when an unexpected factor emerged. Spencer Jones, who had scored just 11 points in the entire series before this game, exploded with 11 points in a six-minute stretch of the final period. He connected on three three-pointers and added a dunk on the fast break that sealed the visiting team's fate.

Beyond Jokic's stellar performance, Jamal Murray contributed 24 points for a Nuggets team that also played without Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson. Minnesota also suffered another scare when Naz Reid twisted his right ankle in the third quarter, though he was able to return.

Denver Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak and will travel to Minneapolis with the intention of forcing a Game 7. Game 6 will be played on Thursday, with Minnesota Timberwolves still holding a 3-2 series advantage.