By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Led by Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets fended off elimination in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with a comfortable 125–113 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.
The Serbian superstar center dictated the tempo at Ball Arena, punctuating the first half with a long-distance buzzer-beater that demoralized the visitors and provided the momentum for a second-half rout, with the lead ballooning over 20 points. Jokic secured a triple-double by the third quarter of Game 5, finishing the contest with 27 points on 9-of-15 shooting, while adding 16 assists, 12 rebounds, and two blocks in 38 minutes of action.
European contribution extended to the bench with a perfect shooting display from Lithuanian backup center Jonas Valanciunas, who contributed nine points on 4-of-4 shooting from the field in his ten minutes on the floor, besides two rebounds, one block, and one assist.
In stark contrast, Minnesota’s defensive anchor, French starting center Rudy Gobert, struggled to find his rhythm offensively, remaining scoreless for his first 27 minutes of play and finishing the night with just three points, though he managed to record seven rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Fellow Frenchman Joan Beringer checked in late in the fourth quarter, registering two points, one steal, and one rebound.
Despite playing without Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson due to injury, the Nuggets reduced the deficit in the first-round best-of-seven series to 3-2. The Wolves, who are managing an injury to Anthony Edwards and the long-term absence of Donte DiVincenzo, will now look to close out the series at home with Game 6 in Target Center on Thursday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 1-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 2-2 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 2-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-1 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 3-1 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-3 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 3-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder – Winner 2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions
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