In a dramatic showdown on Tuesday night, Nikola Jokic delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 44 points in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. Despite his efforts, the Denver Nuggets were edged out by the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, who clinched a 112-105 victory, pushing the Nuggets to the brink of playoff elimination.
Following a challenging three-game shooting slump—the worst of his career—Jokic returned to form, shooting an impressive 17-of-25 from the field, which included a remarkable 5-of-7 from beyond the three-point line. Nuggets interim coach David Adelman praised Jokic's effort, stating, "I thought our effort was incredible, but we can play a lot better." Adelman emphasized the potential for the team to create open shots and believes that if the Nuggets can capitalize on these opportunities, they can achieve remarkable success.
One of the game’s most thrilling moments came when Jokic executed his signature Sombor Shuffle—a turnaround fadeaway three-pointer that tied the game at 105 with just 1:39 left on the clock. However, the Thunder quickly responded with an 8-0 run, capitalizing on missed three-point attempts from Jokic's teammates. Despite Jokic's 13 points in the fourth quarter, the rest of the Nuggets struggled, combining for only six points on 1-of-15 shooting during the final stretch.
Reflecting on the game, Jokic noted, "It's not like we turned the ball over. I think we had the open looks. We just didn't score in those moments." His previous three games had marked a significant dip in efficiency, as he shot only 33.3% from the field, making it the first time in his career he had three straight games with under 40% shooting when attempting at least 15 shots.
Jokic's impressive numbers came despite facing a formidable opponent in Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, who had previously limited Jokic’s scoring to 40 points on 14-of-35 shooting. Adelman remarked on Jokic’s improved performance, noting, "He had better legs. The face-up jump shot always gets him going." Once Jokic found his rhythm, it opened up the floor for his game.
Jokic's co-star, Jamal Murray, contributed significantly with 28 points, including a scoring surge of 13 points in the third quarter that helped the Nuggets establish a 12-point lead. However, Murray expressed his dissatisfaction with his own performance, stating, "I didn't shoot the ball as well as I needed to today," emphasizing that the blame shouldn't fall solely on Jokic's shoulders. "If you're looking for somebody to blame, I think I need to do better," he added.
In addition to his 44 points, Jokic also recorded 15 rebounds and five assists, playing a staggering 44 minutes, including the entire second half. According to ESPN Research, Jokic became the first player in NBA history to achieve multiple 40-point, 15-rebound, and 5-assist games in a single series, having previously accomplished this feat in Game 1 of the playoffs. The only other player to achieve two such performances in a postseason is LeBron James in 2012.
As the Nuggets prepare for Game 6, the team remains optimistic about Jokic's ability to maintain his high level of performance. The hope is that his teammates will also step up to support him in extending the series and avoiding playoff elimination. With Jokic's skill and determination, the Nuggets will look to bounce back and make a strong case for their playoff survival.
