Nikola Jokić’s triple double gives the Nuggets one win from WCF

Ohm YoungmisukESPN staff writerMay 10, 2023 02:58 a.m. ET2 minutes to read

DENVER – Michael Malone interrupted a post-game question about Nikola Jokic’s pass to Wilt Chamberlain for the most triples by a center in NBA history.

“once again?” the Denver Nuggets coach asked with a laugh. “Make a habit. It must be a statistical filler.”

Malone’s sarcastic response was directed at Jokic’s critics. However, the two-time MVP is not worried about pundits or stats. He only cares about winning, and he has his team one win away from returning to the Western Conference Finals.

Jokic provided 29 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists and two blocks to help Denver crush the Phoenix Suns 118-102 in Game 5 Tuesday night at the Ballpark.

The Nuggets now lead the series 3-2 and can eliminate the Suns in Game 6 on Thursday in Phoenix.

Jokic put the Suns’ season on edge with his 10th career three-way playoff game, breaking a tie with Chamberlain (nine) and moving into a tie for fifth with Draymond Green, Rajon Rondo, Larry Bird and Jason Kidd, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information .

It was his second triple-double in the past three games, and it came after a 53-point burst in Game 4.

“I mean, honestly, I just like winning the game,” Jokic said on whether he’d rather try to beat a team with hat-tricks or score goals. “So whatever it takes. I open the game today, I think it’s really bad, maybe I’d force it.

“And then I just slow it down, relax and let the game come to me. It will come to me and it will happen.”

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Jokic shot 2-for-6 in the first quarter but had five points, five rebounds and four assists in his first 12 minutes. The Nuggets relied on Michael Porter Jr., who scored 14 of his 19 in the first quarter to help Denver open up a 15-point lead.

In the third quarter, Jokic dominated, scoring 7 of 8 shots and scoring 17 points. He even ran into a technical foul from Kevin Durant when he walked into the Suns huddle near half court and tried to listen. Durant pushed Jokic with his left forearm and fumbled the MVP twice, resulting in a technical foul.

Jokic, who was fined $25,000 Monday for calling Phoenix owner Matt Ishpilla during an odd side tackle in Game 4, has been doing everything he can to give his team an advantage.

While there was talk of Devin Booker being the best player in the series, Malone said his position was also dominant.

“He’s literally a guy who’s going to read the game and take in what the game has to offer,” said Malone. And in this series, everyone talks about Devin Booker, right. His performances in the first round against the Clippers, against us, were amazing. But I think sometimes we maybe take Nicola for granted because what he’s got to do is incredible.

“He makes everyone around him better. He never shakes.” Cool Hand Luke. And we’re so grateful he’s from the Denver Nugget.”

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