By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In Game 5 of a best-of-seven series opposite the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Denver Nuggets trimmed their deficit to 3-2, with Nikola Jokic delivering a triple-double consisting of 27 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds. The triple-double, the 221st of his career, moved the Serbian superstar into a tie with Russell Westbrook for the most combined between the Regular Season and the Playoffs in NBA history.
Amidst the high stakes of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, the contest was characterized by a lingering edge from the previous matchup. At the conclusion of the fourth quarter in Ball Arena, the Joker handed the ball to Wolves reserve Joan Beringer before immediately trying to grab it back, a pointed reference to the heated altercation at the end of Game 4 that resulted in the 31-year-old center being fined by the league.
The Joker was asked about the incident involving the French center, but avoided an answer. “Next question,” he simply stated at the end of his postgame press conference.
Reflecting on Denver’s shift in intensity, Jokic credited a more aggressive approach for the win. “Maybe that’s what we needed. The physicality that we need. That’s our mindset for the next game,” he said.
He emphasized that the team’s focus was sharpest when facing a potential exit. “I have been here before. When you play an elimination game, you need to be extremely focused and locked in, and I think we did that for most of this night,” noted Jokic.
A key factor in the victory was the Nuggets’ ability to capitalize on transition opportunities. “This is the first game we did something that they did to us. Those easy points are definitely something that kills the opponent,” commented the Sombor native.
Central to the series has been the grueling matchup between Jokic and Rudy Gobert. “He’s a great defender. He makes you do a little bit extra in every possession, in every situation. I think I played against him more than any other guy through my whole career. Even when we play each other overseas with the national teams. So, I think we know each other pretty well,” Jokic remarked on his latest battle with the French center.
While the Ball Arena crowd relentlessly booed Jaden McDaniels following his late-game scoring in Game 4, the 25-year-old forward remained unfazed by the hostile reception. “I love this environment. Everyone hates me. All the hate is coming toward me. I love it. I don’t care. I feed into it,” he explained.
As the series shifts to Target Center for Game 6 on Thursday, Jokic is prepared for the shift to a loud Minneapolis crowd and the challenge posed by Chris Finch’s squad. “Just create your own energy, and thrive on that,” he said.
If necessary, the series will return to Denver for a deciding Game 7 on Saturday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 1-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 2-2 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 2-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-1 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 3-1 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-3 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 3-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder – Winner 2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions