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Jokic Triple-Double Sparks Nuggets Win, Forces Game 6

4/29/2026

Summary

Jokic Extends Series

Denver Nuggets avoided elimination by beating Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 in Game 5 of the first-round playoffs on April 28, 2026.
Nikola Jokic recorded a 27-point, 12-rebound, 16-assist triple-double, his 23rd career playoff triple-double.
The win, coming as Minnesota lost Anthony Edwards (hyperextended knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (torn Achilles), cut the series lead to 3-2 and set Game 6 in Minneapolis on Thursday.

Summary

Jokic Ties Westbrook

Nikola Jokic tied Russell Westbrook with his 221st career triple-double, moving him to second in totals and earning his 19th playoff triple-double, the NBA record.
Spencer Jones scored 20 points, added three steals and three blocks, shooting 78%, joining Hakeem Olajuwon and Shawn Marion as the only postseason players with that line.
Analysts warned that another triple-double in Game 6 would push Jokic ahead of Westbrook on the combined career leaderboard.

Summary

Nuggets Win Playoff

Denver became the 13th NBA franchise to win a playoff game after elimination.
In the 2020 bubble, the Nuggets reversed a 1-3 deficit twice, beating Utah and Los Angeles.
Nikola Jokic was fined for role in the Game 4 scuffle with Joan Beringer and answered “Next question.”
Christian Braun earned a technical foul after dunking on Jaden McDaniels and pointing.
Jonas Valanciunas shot 4-for-4 for nine points in ten minutes on the bench.

Summary

McDaniels Embraces Hate

After Game 5, McDaniels told The Athletic he enjoys Denver fans’ hate and predicts a Timberwolves win in Game 6.
The Ball Arena crowd repeatedly chanted “Jaden Sucks!” each time he touched the ball.
He earlier called Nuggets players “bad defenders,” embraced the “villain” label, dismissed the boos, and said the Timberwolves will close the series in Minnesota.

History

Historical Context

After the Cavaliers erased a 3-1 NBA Finals deficit in 2016 to defeat the Golden State Warriors, LeBron James recorded a 27-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist triple-double in Game 7, making Cleveland the first team ever to overcome such a deficit and the first road Game 7 winner since 1978. The comeback reshaped how analysts weigh elite triple-double performances in playoff resilience.

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Jokic Extends Series

Denver Nuggets avoided elimination by beating Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 in Game 5 of the first-round playoffs on April 28, 2026.
Nikola Jokic recorded a 27-point, 12-rebound, 16-assist triple-double, his 23rd career playoff triple-double.
The win, coming as Minnesota lost Anthony Edwards (hyperextended knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (torn Achilles), cut the series lead to 3-2 and set Game 6 in Minneapolis on Thursday.

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