Why Nikola Jokic knows Nuggets must not underestimate Timberwolves

The Denver Nuggets were able to get a big win in Game 5 of their NBA Playoffs series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. Minnesota is playing without Anthony Edwards, who is out hurt. Nuggets star and big man Nikola Jokic knows that his team can’t underestimate Minnesota, even with that injury.

“Paraphrasing what Nikola Jokic just said, in response to a question about Anthony Edwards missing for the Wolves: The Wolves coaching staff is so good at creating little advantages on offense for players and those little advantages can become big ones,” The Minnesota Star Tribune reported on X, formerly Twitter.

Minnesota still leads the series 3-2, and needs just one more win to knock off the Nuggets in the postseason.

“Physicality, focus,” Jokic said, per ESPN. “I have been here before. When you’re playing an elimination game, you need to be extremely focused.”

Denver won Game 5 by a 125-113 score. Jokic, who has struggled to make shots in this series, finished the game with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists.

“Jok is Jok,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. “These [small] sample size games and the freakouts when he doesn’t play well. You know he’s going to play well. Then his 16 assists. Assists are hard to get unless you make shots.”

The Nuggets certainly can’t rest. Denver must win out at this point to take the series, and players are frustrated after losing three of the first four games.

“Just an embarrassing first four games of the series,” Nuggets guard Christian Braun said.

Game 6 is on Thursday. Nuggets fans hope that their team can find a way to win and force a Game 7.