Timberwolves Edge Nuggets in Double OT Thriller Despite Jokic’s 61-Point Night

DENVER, CO — Nickeil Alexander-Walker sank two of three free throws with just 0.1 seconds left, sealing a dramatic 140-139 double-overtime victory for the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night.

The game ended in chaotic fashion. Russell Westbrook came up with a clutch steal in the final seconds but missed a layup at the other end. In the scramble, he fouled Alexander-Walker in the corner, sending him to the line. The Timberwolves guard made the first two shots and intentionally missed the third, leaving Denver no time to respond.

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 34 points, but the night belonged to Nikola Jokić, who delivered a career-best 61 points—the highest-scoring performance in the NBA this season. The Nuggets star also recorded 10 rebounds and 10 assists, securing just the third 60-point triple-double in league history. He played 52 minutes and didn’t sit out after halftime.

Jokić repeatedly kept Denver alive, hitting two clutch free throws with 13.9 seconds left to force overtime at 112-112. He later drained a floater with 7.3 seconds remaining to push the game into a second overtime at 125-125.

The matchup had a playoff-like intensity, featuring 21 lead changes. The Timberwolves have now won six straight against Denver, including postseason games.

Minnesota was missing Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo, both serving one-game suspensions for their involvement in an altercation with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Denver, meanwhile, was without Jamal Murray (hamstring) and Michael Porter Jr. (personal reasons).

Minnesota’s bench played a crucial role, outscoring Denver’s reserves 40-14. Jokić was dominant, shooting 18-of-29 from the field and knocking down six three-pointers. However, a crucial moment in the second overtime saw him fouled by Jaden McDaniels during a jump-ball situation. He made one free throw, giving Denver a 139-138 lead, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Timberwolves’ late-game heroics.

The loss drops the Nuggets to 18-3 at home when tied or leading after the first quarter. Denver had built a 16-point lead in the opening period but couldn’t hold on.

Up Next

The Nuggets will host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, while the Timberwolves head to Brooklyn for a matchup on Thursday.