In one of the most electrifying games of the NBA season, the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves battled through double overtime, with the Timberwolves emerging victorious in a nail-biting 140-139 finish.
Nikola Jokic, the reigning MVP, delivered a performance for the ages, recording a jaw-dropping 61-point triple-double—the most points ever scored in an NBA triple-double. Jokic’s stat line included 11 rebounds and 10 assists. His scoring outburst was a franchise record and the highest single-game point total of the season, surpassing De’Aaron Fox’s 60-point game earlier this year.
🃏 NIKOLA JOKIĆ, A GAME FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS 🃏
🤯 61 PTS
🤯 10 REB
🤯 10 AST
🤯 6 3PM
🤯 2 STLAn all-time showing from an all-time player! pic.twitter.com/fdFyl2RyHU
— NBA (@NBA) April 2, 2025
Jokic’s heroics kept the Nuggets alive through regulation and the first overtime, hitting clutch shots and free throws to force the game into extra periods. His ability to dominate in every facet of the game was on full display, as he played a career-high 53 minutes and carried the team in the absence of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
Despite Jokic’s brilliance, the game ultimately hinged on a series of costly mistakes by Russell Westbrook in the final moments of double overtime. With the Nuggets leading by one point and possession of the ball, Westbrook intercepted a pass from Anthony Edwards, giving Denver a chance to seal the win. However, instead of pulling the ball out to run down the clock or passing to a better free-throw shooter, Westbrook opted for a layup, which he missed.
The Timberwolves capitalized on the opportunity, racing down the court and drawing a foul on Nickeil Alexander-Walker (bzy Westbrook) during a three-point attempt with just 0.1 seconds remaining. Alexander-Walker calmly sank two of the three free throws, handing Minnesota the victory and spoiling Jokic’s historic night.
58 minute game. Russell Westbrook fucked it up in the last 10 seconds.
The single greatest performance ever from Jokic 61-10-10 is thrown away.
— Gino Fornaro (@ginoliciousboss) April 2, 2025
Anthony Edwards led the charge with 34 points, including clutch baskets in regulation and overtime. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Julius Randle contributed 26 points each, while Rudy Gobert added 19 points and 12 rebounds.
For Denver, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. Jokic’s historic performance deserved a better outcome, but the team’s defensive lapses and late-game decision-making proved costly. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone defended Westbrook’s choices, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation but emphasizing the need for better execution in critical moments.
