Timberwolves facing playoff elimination following 112-97 loss in Game 5 against Denver

The NBA's Most Valuable Player and the defending champions put the Minnesota Timberwolves on the brink of elimination with a dominating performance Tuesday night in game five of the Western Conference semifinals series at Ball Arena in Denver.

Superstar Nikola Jokic wasted little time putting his imprint on the game and finished with 40 points, 13 assists, and 7 rebounds as Denver beat Minnesota 112-97 to take a 3-2 lead in the series that now shifts back to Minneapolis for Game 6 on Thursday.

Offensively, Karl-Anthony Towns led the way for Minnesota, scoring 23 points while Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Anthony Edwards also poured-in 18, while turning the ball over four times.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 14 points.

"I just laugh. That's all I can do. I can't be mad, because he's good, man," Edwards said of Jokic's night. "I think I said that after Game 1, when we won, and Game 2. He's the MVP. He's the best player in the NBA; he showed it the last three games, three games in a row. He did it tonight."

Jokic's MVP-caliber performance even drew reaction from teammate Aaron Gordon who had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.

"He played amazing," Gordon said. "The three-time MVP just dominated the entire game in every aspect. Astounding. That was ridiculous."

Minnesota now must defend its home floor Thursday night in Game 6 at Target Center where the Nuggets began their three-game playoff winning streak after losing twice at home to open up the best of seven series.

Thursday's tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.

Game 7 would take place on Sunday, if needed, in Denver.