In a thrilling matchup between Western Conference powerhouses, Nikola Jokic’s dominant performance propelled the Denver Nuggets (48-21) to a hard-fought 115-112 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves (47-22) on Tuesday night.
Jokic showcased his MVP-caliber play, tallying 35 points and 16 rebounds, while Michael Porter Jr. stepped up with 13 of his 26 points coming in the crucial fourth quarter.
Jamal Murray contributed a double-double with 18 points and 11 assists, as did Aaron Gordon with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Nuggets (.696) now sit within percentage points of the Western Conference lead, closely trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder (47-20; .701), while the Timberwolves drop to third place in the standings.
Despite a valiant effort from Anthony Edwards, who scored 30 points, the Timberwolves couldn’t overcome the Nuggets in the closing moments of the game. The game came down to the wire, with Edwards missing a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer.
The absence of key players Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid posed challenges for the Timberwolves, particularly against Jokic’s dominant presence in the paint.
Jaden McDaniels provided support for Edwards with 26 points, while Mike Conley added 13 points and five assists.
