Jokic’s dominance leads Nuggets to close victory over Timberwolves

Nikola Jokic showcased his prowess with a remarkable display, tallying 35 points and 16 rebounds to propel the Denver Nuggets to a narrow 115-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

Joining Jokic in the scoring effort was Michael Porter Jr., who contributed 26 points on an efficient 9-of-15 shooting for the Nuggets (48-21). The team bounced back admirably from a heart-wrenching buzzer-beater loss to the Dallas Mavericks just two days prior. Notably, Jamal Murray (18 points, 11 assists) and Aaron Gordon (14 points, 11 rebounds) each secured double-doubles for Denver.

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards led the charge for the Timberwolves (47-22) with an impressive performance, amassing 30 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Jaden McDaniels also made significant contributions, scoring 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting, while Mike Conley added 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

The outcome of the game leaves Denver in a virtual tie with the Oklahoma City Thunder (47-20) for the top spot in the Western Conference, with Minnesota trailing by just one game.

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The contest remained tightly contested until the final moments, with Minnesota closing the gap to just two points with 12 seconds remaining after a crucial 3-pointer by Conley. However, Porter’s clutch free throws extended Denver’s lead to 113-109 with 7.6 seconds left. Despite McDaniels sinking another 3-pointer to make it 113-112, Murray sealed the win for the Nuggets with two successful free throws. Edwards’ last-second 3-point attempt failed to force overtime.

Throughout the game, both teams engaged in a seesaw battle, with Denver holding an 87-84 advantage entering the fourth quarter. Minnesota staged a strong comeback in the third quarter, outscoring Denver 29-17 to set the stage for a thrilling finish. Edwards’ jump shot gave the Timberwolves an 84-82 lead late in the third quarter, but timely baskets from Jokic and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope helped the Nuggets regain control.

Denver established a double-digit lead early in the first quarter, capitalizing on Minnesota’s slow start on the second night of a back-to-back set. By the end of the opening period, the Nuggets held a 35-28 advantage, which they extended to 15 points by halftime, leading 70-55.