Jokic's Triple-Double Keeps Nuggets Alive, Defeat Timberwolves to Stay in Series
Nikola Jokic shook off his recent slump to deliver a triple-double, and Spencer Jones provided crucial scoring, as the NBA's Denver Nuggets defeated the injury-plagued Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 today, avoiding elimination in Game 5 of their Western Conference playoff series.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 15:58
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Denver, 27th, comprehensive foreign report) Nikola Jokic shook off his recent slump to deliver a triple-double, and Spencer Jones provided crucial scoring, as the NBA's Denver Nuggets defeated the injury-plagued Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 today, avoiding elimination in Game 5 of their Western Conference playoff series.
Nikola Jokic scored 27 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds for the Nuggets, helping the team narrow the series record to 2 wins and 3 losses. Jamal Murray contributed 24 points, and Spencer Jones scored 20 points.
This was Jokic's 23rd career playoff triple-double, ranking third in history. The Nuggets ended their three-game losing streak, regaining their regular-season resilience and maintaining their standard as the third seed in the Western Conference.
The Timberwolves once trailed by as much as 27 points. Although they narrowed the gap to 10 points in the fourth quarter, it was difficult to reverse the tide.
Key backcourt players Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo were both absent today due to injuries sustained in Game 4; center Naz Reid also briefly left the game in the late third quarter due to a sprained right ankle.
DiVincenzo underwent surgery on the 26th; Edwards' return date is uncertain, but an MRI confirmed no structural damage, meaning he still has a chance to return if the Timberwolves advance.
Julius Randle scored a team-high 27 points for the Timberwolves. Ayo Dosunmu, who performed brilliantly in Game 4, contributed 18 points. In contrast, Rudy Gobert, who had excellent defense in the first four games, was suppressed today, scoring his only basket with 20 seconds left in the third quarter when the team was trailing by 25 points.
The Nuggets must win two consecutive games to advance, which would make them the 14th team in NBA history to overturn a 1-3 series deficit. The Nuggets were also the last team to achieve this feat: during the 2020 pandemic bubble, they consecutively overturned the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Nuggets pulled away in the first quarter. The Timberwolves committed 14 turnovers in the first half, with 9 in the first quarter alone. Jokic hit a 29-foot three-pointer at the buzzer before the end of the second quarter, helping the Nuggets lead 60-51 at halftime.
Jones had only 11 points in the first four games of the series but scored 11 points in just 6 minutes in the fourth quarter today, including three three-pointers and one fast-break dunk, forcing the Timberwolves to call a timeout.
Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels' layup at the end of Game 4, when the outcome was already decided, angered Jokic, leading to a conflict that resulted in multiple ejections and fines, further intensifying the rivalry in this series. He received two quick fouls in the first quarter today and was substituted, scoring 13 points in total.
Game 6 will take place on the evening of the 30th, US time, in Minneapolis. (Edited by Tsai Chia-min) 1150428
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(Central News Agency, Denver, 27th, comprehensive foreign report) Nikola Jokic shook off his recent slump to deliver a triple-double, and Spencer Jones provided crucial scoring, as the NBA's Denver Nuggets defeated the injury-plagued Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 today, avoiding elimination in Game 5 of their Western Conference playoff series.
Nikola Jokic scored 27 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds for the Nuggets, helping the team narrow the series record to 2 wins and 3 losses. Jamal Murray contributed 24 points, and Spencer Jones scored 20 points.
This was Jokic's 23rd career playoff triple-double, ranking third in history. The Nuggets ended their three-game losing streak, regaining their regular-season resilience and maintaining their standard as the third seed in the Western Conference.
The Timberwolves once trailed by as much as 27 points. Although they narrowed the gap to 10 points in the fourth quarter, it was difficult to reverse the tide.
Key backcourt players Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo were both absent today due to injuries sustained in Game 4; center Naz Reid also briefly left the game in the late third quarter due to a sprained right ankle.
DiVincenzo underwent surgery on the 26th; Edwards' return date is uncertain, but an MRI confirmed no structural damage, meaning he still has a chance to return if the Timberwolves advance.
Julius Randle scored a team-high 27 points for the Timberwolves. Ayo Dosunmu, who performed brilliantly in Game 4, contributed 18 points. In contrast, Rudy Gobert, who had excellent defense in the first four games, was suppressed today, scoring his only basket with 20 seconds left in the third quarter when the team was trailing by 25 points.
The Nuggets must win two consecutive games to advance, which would make them the 14th team in NBA history to overturn a 1-3 series deficit. The Nuggets were also the last team to achieve this feat: during the 2020 pandemic bubble, they consecutively overturned the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Nuggets pulled away in the first quarter. The Timberwolves committed 14 turnovers in the first half, with 9 in the first quarter alone. Jokic hit a 29-foot three-pointer at the buzzer before the end of the second quarter, helping the Nuggets lead 60-51 at halftime.
Jones had only 11 points in the first four games of the series but scored 11 points in just 6 minutes in the fourth quarter today, including three three-pointers and one fast-break dunk, forcing the Timberwolves to call a timeout.
Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels' layup at the end of Game 4, when the outcome was already decided, angered Jokic, leading to a conflict that resulted in multiple ejections and fines, further intensifying the rivalry in this series. He received two quick fouls in the first quarter today and was substituted, scoring 13 points in total.
Game 6 will take place on the evening of the 30th, US time, in Minneapolis. (Edited by Tsai Chia-min) 1150428
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The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.