DENVER — The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a career- and NBA-best 61-point triple-double efficiency from Nikola Jokic to live longer than the Denver Nuggets 140-139 in double additional time on Tuesday night time.
Jokic’s 61 issues — essentially the most via a participant within the NBA this season — had been additionally essentially the most issues in a triple-double in NBA historical past. Jokic, who performed 52 mins, 38 seconds, additionally had 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He did not go away the courtroom after halftime.
“Nikola got here as much as me after the 3rd quarter and mentioned, ‘Trainer, I am just right. Depart me in there. I do not need to pop out. Let me simply stay taking part in,'” Nuggets trainer Michael Malone mentioned in a while. “He used to be in a just right rhythm, clearly — 61 issues, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, 2 steals. The man is Superman.”
Stated Jokic: “Trainer requested me a pair instances [if I wanted to come out] however I used to be feeling just right.”
60-Level Triple-Doubles In NBA Historical past
| 12 months | Participant | Opp | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Nikola Jokic | Wolves | 61 |
| 2022 | Luka Doncic | Knicks | 60 |
| 2018 | James Harden | Magic | 60 |
| — ESPN Analysis |
The Timberwolves sealed the win on a couple of Nickeil Alexander-Walker unfastened throws with 0.1 left, concluding a wild series during which Russell Westbrook stole the ball on one finish within the last seconds, overlooked a layup after which fouled Alexander-Walker within the nook. The Timberwolves guard made two unfastened throws and overlooked the 3rd one on function.
“He is a man that hates to lose,” Malone mentioned of Westbrook. “So he would possibly not need to listen any of that stuff as a result of he is a perfectionist and he is a competitor. And figuring out the way in which I do, he is almost certainly going to place a large number of this on him. However we misplaced this night. The Denver Nuggets, we as a collective staff misplaced a recreation this night, now not one participant.”
Westbrook left the sector earlier than the Denver locker room used to be open to media.
“Clearly, I think terrible for Russ,” Malone mentioned. “That remaining play we get the turnover, we do not convert, after which the foul. It used to be now not from a loss of effort or care.
“Infrequently it is going like that, and that’s the reason why we’ve got simply were given to be robust. We now have were given to be resilient.”
The massive query: Will have to the Nuggets have now not tried the layup and pulled the ball again out to run down the clock?
“It is tricky. You have got a two-on-one spoil,” Malone mentioned. “As a trainer, am I up at the sideline yelling, ‘Do not cross?’ We now have were given a layup. However it is simple to mention that (pull the ball out) in hindsight, as a result of we overlooked a layup. … He (Westbrook) is a tricky child, and I feel he is aware of that everyone in that locker room’s were given his again.”
Jokic used to be requested if he’s going to discuss to Westbrook concerning the series.
“Why? It came about. It is basketball. I am lovely positive he did not need to foul. It occurs,” he mentioned.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 34 issues to move in conjunction with 10 rebounds and eight assists. He had 10 issues getting into the fourth quarter and has scored 25 or extra in seven consecutive video games in opposition to Denver.
No Joking Topic
There were…
• 91 60-point video games in NBA historical past
• 7,117 20-rebound video games in NBA historical past
• 237 20-assist video games in NBA historical past
Nikola Jokic turns into the second one participant in NBA historical past to do all 3 in one season, becoming a member of Wilt Chamberlain (1967-68).
— ESPN Analysis
“He simply took off and that’s the reason what superstars do and that’s the reason why he is a different particular person and a different participant on this league,” Jokic mentioned.
Jokic hit two unfastened throws with 13.9 seconds left to tie it at 112 in legislation. He dropped in a floater with 7.3 seconds left to knot it at 125 within the first additional time.
“Nikola Jokic, he may well be the most productive basketball participant that I’ve ever observed shut up, but even so myself,” cracked Edwards. “He’s unbelievable. The MVP race is hard. I have no idea. He had 60. This is loopy.”
The sport had a playoff depth and featured 21 lead adjustments. The Timberwolves have gained six instantly over the Nuggets, together with the playoffs, as Jokic was the second one participant in NBA historical past to lose with a 50-point triple-double, following Wilt Chamberlain in 1963.
The Timberwolves had been with out Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo, who had been suspended one recreation via the league for his or her roles in an on-court altercation in opposition to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
Denver did not have Jamal Murray (hamstring) or Michael Porter Jr. (private causes).
Jokic completed 18-of-29 from the sector, together with six 3-pointers. His 61 issues had been the second one maximum in a recreation in Nuggets historical past (David Thompson had 73 in 1978), and essentially the most given as much as an opponent in Timberwolves historical past.
A wild play ensued close to the top of the second one additional time when Jokic used to be fouled via Jaden McDaniels all over a soar ball. Jokic made one unfastened throw to provide the Nuggets a 139-138 lead.
The Nuggets dropped to 18-3 at house when tied or main after the primary quarter. They led via 16 within the opening quarter.
ESPN Analysis and The Related Press contributed to this record.
