The Denver Nuggets extended their season with a 125-113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 on Monday night at Ball Arena.
Facing elimination, Denver leaned on Nikola Jokic, who delivered 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds for his 23rd career playoff triple-double.
The result cut Minnesota’s series lead to 3-2, sending the matchup back to Minneapolis for Game 6 on Thursday.
Jamal Murray added 24 points and seven assists, while Spencer Jones provided a decisive boost with 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting.
Denver’s offensive rhythm resembled its regular-season form, as the team shot 57% from the field and generated 35 assists on 47 made baskets.
Ball movement and spacing opened the floor for Jokic, who orchestrated possessions and consistently created high-efficiency looks.
The Nuggets set the tone early by capitalizing on Minnesota’s turnovers, forcing 14 in the first half and nine in the opening quarter.
A deep three-pointer from Jokic at the halftime buzzer pushed Denver ahead 60-51 and reinforced its control of tempo.
Minnesota, playing without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, struggled to maintain offensive balance throughout the game.
Edwards remains out indefinitely with a hyperextended knee, while DiVincenzo underwent surgery on a ruptured Achilles.
Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 27 points and nine rebounds, and Ayo Dosunmu added 18 points on efficient shooting.
The Wolves briefly cut a 27-point deficit to 10 in the fourth quarter, but Denver responded with timely execution.
Jones scored 11 points in a six-minute stretch during the final period, hitting three 3-pointers and finishing a fast-break dunk that halted Minnesota’s momentum.
Rudy Gobert, a defensive anchor earlier in the series, was limited to three points as Denver neutralized his interior impact.
Naz Reid added 12 points and eight rebounds but was slowed after rolling his ankle late in the third quarter.
Denver managed its own absences, with Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson sidelined, yet maintained structure on both ends.
Christian Braun contributed nine points and strong perimeter defense, while Cameron Johnson added 18 points and six rebounds.
The Nuggets’ ability to limit turnovers and control shot quality proved critical, finishing with just 16 giveaways compared to Minnesota’s 25.
Denver now needs one more road win to force a Game 7 and complete a comeback from a 3-1 deficit.
Only 13 teams in NBA history have achieved that feat, with the Nuggets themselves last doing so in 2020.
Minnesota, despite injuries, still holds the advantage but must regain offensive consistency to close the series.
