By: Jennifer Portee
4/28/2026
Under the pressure of playoff elimination, Denver finally looked like itself.
Nikola Jokic set the tone from the jump, and once he did, everything else started to click. He finished with 27 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds in Denver’s 125-113 win over Minnesota, a performance that kept the Nuggets alive and brought the series to 3-2.
This wasn’t just about the numbers. It was the way Jokic controlled the pace, settled the team down, and made sure Denver never let the moment get too big. Jamal Murray added 24 points, and Spencer Jones gave the Nuggets a real lift with 20 off the bench.
Jones, in particular, gave Denver some life when it needed it most. After being quiet for most of the series, he came through in the fourth quarter with three 3-pointers, a fast-break dunk, and the kind of energy that helped Denver take control of the game.
The Timberwolves made a few runs, but the injuries and turnovers made the climb too difficult. Julius Randle led them with 27 points, but without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota never quite had enough to match Denver’s intensity.
Now the Nuggets head to Game 6 in Minneapolis with real momentum and a chance to keep the comeback going. After this response, the series feels a lot more open than it did a few days ago.