Nikola Jokic, Thunder Dominate Wolves After Anthony Edwards Injury as NBA Fans React to Game 5 Win

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets staved off elimination Monday with a 125-113 win over the injury-depleted Minnesota Timberwolves.

Minnesota entered Game 5 on the road with a 3-1 series lead but was without two key players in Anthony Edwards (left knee injury) and Donte DiVincenzo (torn Achilles), both of whom were sidelined after suffering injuries in Game 4 on Saturday.

Jokic delivered a triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists to keep the Denver Nuggets alive.

Spencer Jones added 20 points, Jamal Murray chipped in 24 and Cam Johnson finished with 18 points.

The Denver Nuggets saw a significant boost in efficiency, shooting 19 percent better than in the previous game, a key factor in the win.

The victory also kept the Denver Nuggets' streak alive, after reaching the postseason in eight straight years without a first-round exit since 2022—the season before their championship run.

The winner of the Denver Nuggets-Minnesota Timberwolves series will move on to the Western Conference semifinals to take on either the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs or the No. 7 Portland Trail Blazers, with San Antonio holding a 3-1 edge.

Game 6 shifts to Minnesota on Thursday, where the Timberwolves will have a chance to close out the series on their home floor.