Nikola Jokic celebrated his third MVP award by scoring 40 points and outdueling Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert in the Nuggets’ Game 5 win over the Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
DENVER — Nikola Jokic celebrated his third NBA MVP award by scoring 40 points as he and the Denver Nuggets shut down Anthony Edwards in a 112-97 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
That put the reigning NBA champions one win away from the Western Conference finals.
Jokic also had 13 assists and seven rebounds with no turnovers as the home team won for the first time this semifinal series. Aaron Gordon added 18 points and 10 boards, and Jamal Murray scored 16.
Edwards was held to 18 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Wolves with 23 points and Rudy Gobert scored 18.
With their first three-game losing streak of the season, the Wolves will have to snap their skid Thursday night at Target Center to force a Game 7 back in Denver.
