SPORTSWORLD.AM
Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic had a stellar performance for Denver, with the Serbian star finishing with 44 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists.
But Jokic's heroics were in vain as the Thunder, who had trailed for most of the game, went on a fourth-quarter rampage, outscoring Denver 34-19 and sealing a thrilling victory. Jokic's rival for this season's MVP award, OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, scored 31 points on a night when six Thunder players finished in double figures.
"It's been a roller coaster ride throughout the game: you make shots, you miss shots. We just trusted our principles, and two games in a row now we've been able to get a W (win)," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "You're only as good as your weakest link, and all 10 of our guys are ready to go ... We're just interested in winning the game. We got one tonight and we got another one." The loss leaves Denver needing to win six games on Thursday at Colorado to avoid an early end to their postseason. "It's a really disappointing loss, and the guys have to be disappointed," Denver interim head coach David Adelman said. "We've got to come back quickly to win Game 6 and give ourselves a chance to come back."