Denver avoids elimination after taming T-Wolves in Game 5

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Denver Nuggets averted disaster and pulled off a much-needed win after dominating the banged-up Minnesota Timberwolves, 125-113, in Game 5 of the ongoing NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026.

With the victory, the Nuggets trimmed their series deficit to 2-3, moving a win away from forcing a winner-take-all Game 7 and replicating the incredible feat they achieved six years ago, when they came back from 1-3 to defeat the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Denver quickly stamped its class on Minnesota after capitalizing on Anthony Edwards’ absence, as he was ruled out indefinitely due to a bone bruise and hyperextended knee.

Without their primary scorer, playmaker, and ball-handler, the Timberwolves looked out of sync and committed several turnovers, which Denver converted into 13 early fast-break points in the first half.

Despite Julius Randle keeping them afloat with his offensive resurgence, Minnesota still struggled to keep up with Denver’s overwhelming attack, led by the 1-2 punch of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

The duo ran their signature two-man game to perfection as they exposed Minnesota’s slow help defense on the baseline, while also creating openings in the right corner through Jokic’s pocket passes to Bruce Brown and Cam Johnson.

Minnesota received a personal scoring run from Randle that cut the Timberwolves’ deficit to just nine points at halftime, but a demoralizing third-quarter spree from the Nuggets ballooned their biggest lead of the ballgame to 27 points.

Jokic looked like Van Gogh brushing layers in “The Starry Night” masterpiece as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate orchestrated Denver’s attack with ease.

When Minnesota decided to blitz him every time he caught the ball at the top of the key, Jokic made the perfect reads, feeding Murray off backdoor cuts while also locating Spencer Jones, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Christian Braun in 3-point territory.

Just when the Nuggets thought they could repel Minnesota in a jiffy, Randle and Ayo Dosunmu answered the call for coach Chris Finch as they supplied the much-needed offense in the crucial fourth quarter.

From down 27, the Timberwolves were able to pull within nine points, forcing Denver head coach David Adelman to reinsert Jokic back into the ballgame.

His presence then sparked the Nuggets as they closed out the game with an incredible 17-6 run, preventing Minnesota from stealing the game while extending the series to another do-or-die clásico.

Jokic spearheaded Denver’s bounce-back win with an efficient triple-double performance of 27 points, 16 assists, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, while Murray delivered 24 points, seven assists, and four steals.

Jones, who replaced Aaron Gordon in the starting role, made the most of the opportunity with 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including three steals and three blocks.

On the other hand, Randle paced the Timberwolves with a near triple-double of 27 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.

Can the Nuggets bag the road win and force a Game 7? Or will Minnesota show up and protect home court without Edwards?

All these will be answered when both squads meet again for Game 6 on May 1, 2026, at Target Center in Minneapolis.