Jokic's "Freak of Nature" Performance Powers Denver Over Wolves in Game 5

On the night he accepted his third NBA MVP in four years, a feat that puts him in basketball's elite pantheon, Nikola Jokić dismantled the Minnesota Timberwolves in a performance for the ages.  The Joker dropped 40 points and 13 assists to lead the Denver Nuggets 112-97 in front of a jampacked Ball Arena crowd. The defending champs now lead the Western Conference semifinals series, 3-2.

MVP trophy presentation from BR's YT channel

The Timberwolves tried everything to stop the Joker onslaught. Seven footers Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns were draped over the three-time MVP. NBA sixth man of the year Naz Reid and Kyle Anderson attempted to defend and trap the Joker, but the Serbian sensation ripped them apart with an assist or a hook shot from impossible angles. One on one against the defensive player of the year in Gobert, Jokic made 8 out of 9 attempts.

Highlights from NBA's YT channel

In his game 5 tour de force masterpiece, the Joker was flawless in 41 minutes of action. He joins Chris Paul as the only players to tally 40+ points, 10+ assists and zero turnovers in a playoff game.

Here are some of our favorite highlights of the Joker's takeover in Denver:

The Denver Nuggets can close down the series in Game 6 on Thursday, May 16 at the Target Center in Minnesota. Tip off starts at 5:30 PM PST and will broadcast live on ESPN.