The Western Conference Semifinals will now feature the Denver Nuggets.
In Game 5 of their best-of-seven series, they overcame an early 15-point deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-109.
With its win on Tuesday, Denver now leads the series 4-1.
Without Nikola Jokic’s genius, it would have been impossible for the Nuggets to win Game 5.
With 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists against the Wolves, he was outstanding in the final game.
It was the Joker’s second triple-double of the series. The Nuggets improved to 29-2 this season, including the playoffs, when the Serbian big man had a triple-double.
Jokic enters history books again
Jokic now has eight career triple-doubles in the playoffs.
Only the great Wilt Chamberlain has more triple-doubles by a center in NBA playoff history than Jokic with nine.
According to ESPN, Jokic is the fifth player in NBA history to record a 25-15-10 stat line in a clinching opportunity.
He joined Oscar Robertson (1963), Chamberlain (1967), James Worthy (1988), and LeBron James (2020) in that exclusive group.
Murray delivers in Game 5
Jokic got some help from his teammate Jamal Murray. He scored 35 points against the Wolves in Game 5.
He has now scored at least 35 points in seven playoff games. Only Jokic has more 35-point games in the playoffs than Murray, with nine.