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Nikola Jokic Makes NBA Playoff History During Nuggets-Thunder Game 5

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Toran Flores | Last updated May 14, 2025 1:47 AM ET

After a pivotal Game 5 in Oklahoma City, the Thunder were able to capitalize off of a struggling fourth quarter and win the game with a score of 112-105.

The win will give the Thunder a one-game lead on the Denver Nuggets as the two teams head back to Denver for Game 6.

Although Nikola Jokic was able to once again have a historic game, his insane stat line wasn't enough for the Nuggets to pull out the win.

Denver was only able to score 19 points in the fourth quarter of the game and the Nuggets star center contributed in 13 of those points.

It's obvious that the Nuggets were fatigued, and Jokic tried to step up and take over but his performance wasn't enough to secure the win.

Nikola Jokic's Game 5 performance makes for something the NBA hasn't seen since Wilt Chamberlain

As Jokic once again had an outstanding performance, his numbers in the game was something that the NBA hadn't seen since Wilt Chamberlain was playing.

Finishing with 44 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and two steals while shooting 17-for-25 from the field, he became the first player since Chamberlain to have multiple games in a single series with at least 40 points, 15 rebounds and five assists.

Nikola Jokic is the first player since Wilt to have multiple 40/15/5 games in a playoff series. pic.twitter.com/qaVNI9js2s
— Real Sports (@realapp_) May 14, 2025

With something that we haven't seen in over 50 years, it seemed that the Denver Nuggets were starting to show fatigue in the team's league-leading 12th playoff game

Game 6 will take place on Thursday, May 15 as the two teams will travel back to Denver.

The Nuggets are now in a must-win scenario and if they lose, they will be eliminated from the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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