Nikola Jokic delivered a performance for the ages, dropping over 60 points in a dominant individual display—but it wasn’t enough. In a dramatic and chaotic finish, the Denver Nuggets fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 140-139 in double overtime.
The loss came after a series of late-game blunders, headlined by a crucial missed layup and an ill-timed foul by Russell Westbrook.
Jokic’s Historic Night: A 61-Point Triple-Double
Jokic wasn’t just great—he was historic. The Nuggets’ star center put up 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming just the third player in NBA history to record a 60-point triple-double. It was a career high for Jokic and the highest-scoring triple-double the league has ever seen.
He did it all while playing nearly 53 minutes, not resting once after halftime. The efficiency and control he displayed were nothing short of spectacular—scoring in the post, knocking down jumpers, and orchestrating Denver’s offense with surgical precision.
“He’s on a whole other level, man. The guy’s Superman,” head coach Michael Malone said after the game.
Unfortunately, his brilliance was overshadowed by the heartbreaking finish. Even with Jokic’s record-breaking night, the Nuggets couldn’t find a way to close. It’s a reminder that in the NBA, even a historic performance isn’t always enough.
Westbrook’s Final-Minute Meltdown
With 17.7 seconds remaining, the Nuggets held a one-point lead. Russell Westbrook appeared to make the game-sealing play—intercepting a pass from Anthony Edwards and sprinting out on a fast break. But with no one between him and the basket, Westbrook missed an uncontested layup.
The Timberwolves took full advantage. After regaining possession, they ran a final play that saw Nickeil Alexander-Walker get fouled by Westbrook on a three-point attempt with just 0.1 seconds left. Alexander-Walker hit two of the three free throws, handing Denver a gut-wrenching loss.
Head coach Michael Malone stood by his veteran guard. After the game, he said: “Knowing Russ the way I do, he’s probably going to put a lot of this on him. But we lost tonight—the Denver Nuggets. Not one player.”
Teammates echoed the support. “We trust him to take that shot 100 out of 100 times,” said Christian Braun. Jokic added, “I’m pretty sure that he didn’t want to make a foul or whatever. It happens.”
Despite the team rallying around Westbrook, the brutal ending was a tough pill to swallow—and a significant missed opportunity in the playoff race. Denver now finds itself just half a game ahead of the surging Lakers for the third seed in the West.
