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Nikola Jokić, Nuggets Wow NBA Fans in Dominant Game 3 Win vs. Anthony Edwards, Wolves

Jack MurrayMay 11, 2024

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 10: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts in front of Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Target Center on May 10, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
David Berding/Getty Images

Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets entered Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves desperately needing a win. The team's effort Saturday clearly showed that.

The Nuggets dominated in Minnesota, taking a 56-41 halftime lead and building on it to take a 115-90 victory and cut the series deficit to 2-1.

ESPN @espn

THE NUGGETS BOUNCED BACK 😤 <a href="https://t.co/tyqZdnAArA">pic.twitter.com/tyqZdnAArA</a>

Denver Nuggets @nuggets

Picked one up on the road 🤝 <a href="https://t.co/v1ovM9fTXB">pic.twitter.com/v1ovM9fTXB</a>

The series has been tougher than anticipated for the No. 1 seeded Nuggets, but Game 3 showed the team what fans were more accustomed to seeing.

Jokić and Jamal Murray each had 24 points, which led Denver. Michael Porter Jr. was next with 21 points, while Aaron Gordon had 13 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope rounded out the starting five with 12 points.

The Timberwolves were led by Anthony Edwards, who had 19 points, five assists and six rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns had 14 points, five rebounds and three assists while Mike Conley and Jayden McKnight had 10 points each.

The focus on the night was Jokić's dominance, as his 24 points were accompanied by 14 rebounds and nine assists. This was his best all-around performance of the series and comes just two days after he earned his third MVP award in the last four seasons.

NBA @NBA

Jokic spins and cleans up his own 💪<br><br>22 PTS, 13 REB, 9 AST for the 3x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaMVP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KiaMVP</a>!<br><br>Nuggets looking to take Game 3 on ESPN <a href="https://t.co/Dsb55ot1Nb">pic.twitter.com/Dsb55ot1Nb</a>

Fans took to social media to praise Jokić and the Nuggets as a whole for the return to excellence:

RK @RyanKoenigsberg

The Denver Nuggets <a href="https://t.co/wMDJy5o1hp">pic.twitter.com/wMDJy5o1hp</a>

CT @CTFazio24

Jokic has been setting screens like a truck tonight

No_look_Jok @nolookjok

National media and Jokic twitter trolls:<br><br>"The nuggets are dead. 3xMVP is a joke."<br><br>The nuggets: <a href="https://t.co/j8Ayd4lb19">pic.twitter.com/j8Ayd4lb19</a>

Bennett Durando @BennettDurando

Nikola Jokic stripping Ant in the paint and turning it into a transition lob to Aaron Gordon is killer Nuggets basketball.

G @bucketexpress

The nuggets needed jokic to win mvp and get bullied. Nuggets needed that motivation

Rachel the Insomniac🐈🐕☕🛫🎶🏀🏈🏒🍁🗻🦙👩🏻‍🌾 @CO0483T

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nuggets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nuggets</a> aren't done!

pau🫥 @jigipaw

nuggets still on🤪

While the win could serve as a reset for the Nuggets, the team needs to keep its foot on the gas in order to stay alive.

It still has the daunting task of earning a second road victory over Minnesota. While the Timberwolves had a difficult night, another performance like that should be considered unlikely.

Denver will look to even the series at two and avoid a challenging 3-1 deficit in Game 4. That game will tip-off Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.