Nikola Jokić's Triple-Double Isn't Enough as Nuggets Fall Short
Nikola Jokić served as the core offensive force for the Nuggets in Tuesday’s nail-biting game. In an atmosphere reminiscent of last year’s playoff showdown, the Minnesota Timberwolves edged out the Denver Nuggets despite Jokić’s record-setting performance. The reigning MVP registered a 61-point triple-double, the highest-scoring triple-double in NBA history, marking a new career-high. Despite this, Denver narrowly lost 140-139 in a double-overtime thriller crucial for their playoff aspirations. The match took a dramatic turn when Russell Westbrook committed a critical foul on Nickeil Alexander-Walker during a 3-point attempt as the clock expired. Post-review, Alexander-Walker was awarded three free throws, sealing the Timberwolves’ victory with just 0.1 seconds left. Nuggets’ coach Michael Malone shared his condolences for Westbrook, stating, “I feel awful for Russ.”
Playing without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., Jokić had more responsibilities against Rudy Gobert. This shifted focus from his usual facilitation to increased scoring. He concluded the game with a career-first 60-point game and his third 50-point outing, shooting 18-of-29, with 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals, over a career-high 53 minutes. Historically, the Nuggets have lost all three of his 50-point games. The other two 60-point triple-doubles in the NBA record books are held by James Harden (Jan. 30, 2018) and Luka Dončić (Dec. 27, 2022). Both players hit the 60-point mark, with Harden achieving it in regulation time and Dončić in a single overtime. Jokić’s performance was the night’s second great show by a multi-time MVP, coming in after Stephen Curry’s 52 points and 12 three-pointers.
On the Timberwolves’ side, Anthony Edwards stayed under the radar until the fourth quarter. Entering the quarter with just 10 points, he surged to finish with 23, including two pivotal back-to-back 3-pointers that turned the game around. When the game reached overtime, it mirrored a one-on-one contest, with eight other players on the court, especially noticeable after Gobert fouled out late in the fourth. Jokić ditched his routine breaks, staying on from midway through the second quarter, while Edwards displayed his characteristic dominance, concluding with 34 points. The game seemed destined for a showdown between the two, but ultimately, Westbrook’s decision defined the outcome.
Contributing 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting, with seven assists, six rebounds, two steals, and five blocks, the game’s other former MVP, Westbrook, couldn’t lift Denver as they slipped behind. The Nuggets now find themselves just half a game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for third place in the Western Conference, trailing two games behind the Houston Rockets for the second spot. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, improved to 44-32, equaling the Memphis Grizzlies for sixth place, ensuring a potential playoff seat.