Nikola Jokic, in a key game to define the leader of the Western Conference, showed why he is the king of the NBA. The Serbian, who barring a surprise will win his third MVP, scored 41 points, with 80% shooting from the field, in the Nuggets’ 116-107 victory over the Timberwolves.
Denver, with two games left to finish the regular season, is placed first with a one-win advantage over the Wolves and the Thunder. Those from Colorado have the average loss compared to both, but they have an affordable schedule, since they have to face two teams from the bottom and that no longer have anything at stake, such as the Spurs and the Grizzlies.
For their part, those from Minnesota host the Hawks and the Suns, while those from Oklahoma play against the Bucks and the Mavericks. First place is essential, since it allows you to play all the qualifying rounds with the home court factor in your favor until the finals. An advantage that Colorado took advantage of last season, as they only lost one of the eleven games they played at the Ball Arena.
Jokic showed that he wants the lead with an outstanding performance, in which he scored 41 points, captured 11 rebounds and distributed seven assists. All this while missing only four shots of the 20 he took, including two of two in triples. A precision and mastery on the court that puts him one step away from his third MVP of the regular season, equaling NBA legends such as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Moses Malone.
Despite a new performance by the Serbian, the Timberwolves stayed in the game until the last quarter, where a 22-7 run ended their hopes of attacking the Nuggets’ fortress. In Minnesota, Anthony Edwards shone, with 25 points, and Rudy Gobert, with 13 and 15 rebounds, but they were not enough to stop the Joker. The team’s other star, Karl-Anthony Towns, is still out, although he will make the playoffs that begin on April 20.
In the current NBA champion, in addition to the Serbian, Jamal Murray, with 20 points, and Michael Porter Jr., with 18 and eight rebounds, were inspired. After beating one of the best defenses in the league, the Nuggets, led by their leader, are counting the days to be first in the West again and for Jokic to win his third NBA MVP, which would place him on a pedestal they occupy some of the greatest in history.
