Nikola Jokic delivered a decisive triple-double as the Denver Nuggets kept their postseason campaign alive by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 at Ball Arena in Colorado. Facing elimination while trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven matchup, Denver produced its strongest response to avoid the end of its season.
The 31-year-old Serbian finished with 27 points, matching the highest total in the game, while also contributing 12 rebounds and 16 assists in a dominant all-around display. Jamal Murray added 24 points as the Nuggets recovered after dropping three consecutive contests in the series.
Murray said Denver approached the game with the urgency expected from a team in such a dangerous position, praising the squad’s energy and concentration across the full 48 minutes. The victory reduced Minnesota’s advantage to 3-2, with game six scheduled for Thursday in Minneapolis.
Pistons pushed to brink by Orlando
In Florida, the Detroit Pistons moved closer to playoff elimination after suffering a 94-88 defeat to the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Cade Cunningham led all scorers with 25 points, but Detroit’s top-seeded status in the Eastern Conference did not prevent another setback.
The result gave Orlando a commanding 3-1 edge in the series, placing the Magic one win away from advancing. Despite entering the postseason as the eighth seed, Orlando now has a major opportunity to reach the second round for the first time since 2010.
That breakthrough has long eluded the franchise, which had previously lost six first-round series and missed the playoffs entirely on nine occasions since its last progression beyond the opening round.
Thunder complete dominant sweep
Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder secured their place in round two with a 131-122 victory over the Phoenix Suns, completing a comprehensive 4-0 series sweep. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander starred with 31 points as Oklahoma maintained its control throughout the first-round battle.
After sealing the win in Phoenix at Mortgage Matchup Center, Gilgeous-Alexander highlighted the team’s collective mindset, emphasizing unselfishness and mutual support as central to their success.
The Thunder now await the winner of the series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, with the Lakers currently holding a 3-1 advantage.
Flagg edges tight Rookie of the Year race
Cooper Flagg added another milestone to his teenage career by being named NBA Rookie of the Year after narrowly surpassing former Duke University teammate Kon Knueppel. At 19, Flagg became the second youngest recipient of the award, behind only LeBron James.
Reflecting on his first professional campaign, Flagg described the season as a test of adaptation, saying the unexpected challenges helped him become more comfortable and develop across multiple aspects of his game.
Chosen first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in last year’s draft, Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Those numbers placed him alongside Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Luka Doncic as the only rookies in the 50 seasons since the NBA-ABA merger to average at least 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
The final vote was exceptionally close, with Flagg defeating Knueppel by just 26 points — the second narrowest margin since the current voting system was introduced in 2002-03.