Jokic Makes History: Phenomenal Triple-Double in NBA Playoffs
Denver's leader Nikola Jokic in the winning game against Minnesota (112:97) not only scored 40 points but also dished out 13 assists. His brilliant performance was the key factor in taking the series lead.
Main Event
Nikola Jokic once again proved he is the most unique player in modern basketball, delivering a historic performance in Game 5 of the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Denver Nuggets leader didn't just score 40 points and 13 assists — he did so without a single turnover for the entire game, an unprecedented achievement in league history.
Details and Statistics
Jokic's stat line in this game is mind-boggling: 40 points on phenomenal 15-of-22 shooting (68.2%), 13 assists, and only 2 turnovers in 41 minutes on the court. The Serbian center made 2 of 3 three-pointers and 8 of 9 free throws, while also grabbing 7 rebounds and recording 2 steals.
According to StatMuse, which tracks turnovers in the playoffs since 1983, Jokic became the first player in NBA history to record at least 40 points and 13 assists with zero turnovers in a playoff game. The closest comparable performance is Chris Paul's in 2018, when he posted 40+ points and 10+ assists without a turnover, but with a lower assist threshold.
Particularly telling was Jokic's matchup with Minnesota's leader and Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. During the game, the Serbian attacked the French center with near-perfect efficiency — 9 made shots on 8 attempts when guarded by one of the league's best defenders. It was a step-back three-pointer in Gobert's face at the end of the shot clock that finally broke the Timberwolves' resistance.
Context and Significance
Jokic's historic performance unfolded against a dramatic backdrop: Denver trailed the series 1-3 and was on the brink of playoff elimination. The team had lost three straight games and failed to reach 100 points in two road games in Minneapolis. The Nuggets leader looked unusually subdued, and his team had lost the offensive rhythm that earned them the third seed in the Western Conference in the regular season.
But Game 5 changed everything. Jokic seemed to flip a switch and returned to the level that made him a three-time league MVP. Notably, he received his third MVP award just before this game — and immediately validated it with a phenomenal performance.
The reaction from opponents speaks louder than any numbers. Minnesota's leader Anthony Edwards said after the game: "I can only laugh, that's all I can do. I can't be mad — he's the MVP, he's the best player in the NBA. Today he was special, you have to give him credit." Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was even more succinct: "He showed the game of the best player in the world. We couldn't do anything with him."
This performance added to the Serbian's impressive collection of achievements. In the 2025 playoffs, Jokic already recorded his 20th triple-double with 20+ points, becoming only the second player in history after LeBron James (who has 26 such games) to reach this milestone.
What's Next / Next Game Preview
Game 6 of the series will take place tomorrow, May 16, at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Denver leads the series 3-2 and has an excellent chance to close out the series on the road. To do so, the Nuggets will need another inspired performance from their leader.
The task is complicated by the fact that Denver has looked significantly weaker in road games during the series — both losses in Minnesota were quite convincing. However, after Jokic's historic performance, the psychological advantage has fully shifted to the Nuggets.
If the Serbian center continues to perform at even a fraction of the level he showed, Minnesota will find it extremely difficult to hold the series and force a decisive Game 7. The Timberwolves coaching staff will need to find some antidote to a player their own head coach called "unanswerable." If Denver triumphs again, they will advance to the next playoff round, where the winner of the other Western Conference matchup awaits.
— Editorial Team
