Staring at potential elimination, Nikola Jokic knew he had to do something to keep the Denver Nuggets afloat. The three-time NBA Most Valuable Player did just that, unleashing a triple-double performance of 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds in the Nuggets win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, 125-113.
The herculean effort was necessary for Jokic who had to carry the frontline load with Aaron Gordon still sidelined by calf issues. He suffered theinjuryin the Denver Nuggets Game 2 loss to the T-Wolves, 119-114.
However, the eight-time All-Star got ample support from his backcourt partner Jamal Murray. Murray added 24 points to back up Jokic, allowing Denver to narrow the series gap to 3-2.
'We had to play like we were down 3-1,' Murraysaid. 'I think we did a good job of bringing energy into the game and playing for 48 minutes, not letting up off the gas. That was a great team win.'
While the win was what mattered most for the Nuggets, Jokic's showing also rewarded him with something else. His triple-double performance allowed him to tie former teammate Russell Westbrook for first place in all-time combined regular-season and playoff triple-doubles.
It was The Joker's 221 triple-double, arguably a huge milestone for him and league history.
Nikola Jokic has officially tied Russell Westbrook for No. 1 in all-time regular season + playoff triple-doubles.Unreal. (via@realapp)pic.twitter.com/GGs4hcqyho
While that Game 5 showing was vintage Jokic, some have observed that the 2023 Finals MVP has not exactly been playing up to par. Usually a reliable offensive player, the 31-year-old has notably shot poorly in the Nuggets-Timberwolves series.
Jokic is usually reliable from the field. He showed that in the regular season, shooting 61.8% from the field and 38% from the three-point region. In the Nuggets first four games in the playoffs, he has shot an atrocious 42% from the field and 18.5% from beyond the arc.
When asked about his performance, Jokic described his play as average. However, there were critics who felt he was playing some of the worst basketball of his career.
Source: International Business Times UK
