After being named the three-time NBA MVP, Nikola Jokić showed why he should be the winner when the Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-97 on Tuesday in the playoffs.

With 40 points, 13 assists (with zero turnovers), and seven rebounds, the Serbian big man—who was awarded his third MVP trophy prior to the game—led Denver to a 3-2 series lead, its first in this Western Conference semifinal.

Given that Jokić was up against the NBA’s top defense and the league’s most recent four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, his dismantling of Minnesota is all the more astounding.

Jokić’s play was so outstanding that both opponents and teammates showered him with plaudits following the game.

Jokić’s performance was praised by Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon as “incredible.”

He told reporters, “He played amazing,” according to ESPN. “The three-time MVP simply controlled every facet of the game.” Amazing. That was absurd.

Although Jokić “showed that he’s the MVP,” Anthony Edwards, the team’s emerging star from Minnesota, claimed he “didn’t see any weaknesses” in the defense.

“I simply chuckle,” Edwards stated. That’s my only option. He’s a good man, so I can’t be upset with him. I believe I mentioned that following our victories in Games 1 and 2. The MVP is him. He has proven that he is the best player in the NBA during the past three games. Tonight, he accomplished it.

Tonight, he was exceptional. I got to present his flowers to him. I’m not sure what our assignment was.

With 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, Gordon made a significant contribution to the victory, but Jokić’s running partner Jamal Murray had a quieter game with just 16 points and four assists.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves in scoring with 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Edwards was limited to just 18 points on 5-for-15 shooting.

Denver, the defending champions, have fought back from losing the first two games of the series at home. With a victory in Minneapolis on Thursday, they can secure their place in the Western Conference finals.

In NBA history, only five teams have survived a home loss in the opening two games of a best-of-seven series to win the series.

Michael Malone, the head coach of Denver, continued, “I think the last three games, Nikola has shown everybody why he is arguably one of the best players to play this game. He was named MVP after that Game 2 loss.”

Brunson scores 44 points to help the Knicks defeat the Pacers in a decisive Game 5!With a 44-point performance, Jalen Brunson extended his excellent postseason play, helping the New York Knicks defeat the Indiana Pacers 121-91 on Tuesday.

With a victory in Game 6 on Friday night in Indianapolis, the Knicks, who now lead the series 3-2, would secure their spot in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.

In addition to putting up a strong comeback from a subpar performance in Game 4, Brunson contributed four rebounds and seven assists. According to ESPN, he has scored at least 40 points in five of this year’s playoff games, which is more than any other player has done since LeBron James scored eight in the 2018 postseason.

While standout guard Tyrese Haliburton scored 13 points and attempted just nine shots in the contest, Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with a team-high 22 points.

Indiana will probably be feeling optimistic that it can take this semifinal to a seventh game because the home team has won all of the games in this series thus far.