Nikola Jokic delivered one of the most dominant performances of the NBA season, but the Denver Nuggets fell short in a 140-139 double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
Following his historic 61-point triple-double, Jokic shared a unique perspective on the connection between athletes and horses, a passion of his outside of basketball.
“We are born for this. We train since we were little,” Jokic said postgame. “My opinion is that horses are basically like athletes, and they’re really similar to us. They are born to run, and we are born to play.”
The two-time MVP put on a masterclass, finishing with 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in 52 minutes. His performance marked just the third 60-point triple-double in NBA history and set a new career high.
Despite Jokic’s heroics, Denver (47-29) could not secure the win, as Nickeil Alexander-Walker sank two clutch free throws with 0.1 seconds left to seal the victory for Minnesota (44-32). Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 34 points, while Julius Randle added 26 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
Jokic forced both overtimes with key plays, tying the game at 112 with late free throws in regulation and hitting a floater to even the score at 125 in the first overtime. The game featured 21 lead changes and had a playoff-like intensity.
Denver played without Jamal Murray (hamstring) and Michael Porter Jr. (personal reasons), while Minnesota missed Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo, both serving one-game suspensions.
Aaron Gordon contributed 30 points for Denver, and Christian Braun had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Russell Westbrook finished with 12 points, seven assists, and six rebounds but was whistled for the crucial foul on Alexander-Walker in the final seconds.
Jokic shot 18-of-29 from the field, including 6-of-11 from three-point range, and 19-of-23 from the free-throw line. His 61 points are the most scored by any player this season.
Minnesota’s bench outscored Denver’s reserves 40-14, with Alexander-Walker providing 26 points in a key role. Rudy Gobert added 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels struggled offensively, shooting 5-of-17 but making an impact defensively.
Denver briefly held a 139-138 lead in the second overtime after Jokic split free throws, but Minnesota capitalized on the final possession. Alexander-Walker drew a foul while attempting a three and converted the decisive free throws.
The win keeps Minnesota in seventh place in the Western Conference, closing in on a top-six spot to avoid the play-in tournament. Denver remains third but faces pressure from teams below in the standings.
