NBA: Nikola Jokic shines as Denver Nuggets beat Minnesota Timberwolves

Nikola Jokic scored 40 points as reigning NBA champions the Denver Nuggets secured a 112-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves to go 3-2 ahead in their Western Conference play-off semi-final series.

The Serb was named the league’s Most Valuable Player for the third time last week and picked up the award before the match in Denver.

Jokic, 29, added 13 assists and seven rebounds to turn the series around after the Nuggets had lost the opening two games of the semi-finals.

“Whenever he gets it going like that, you let him dictate how the game’s going to go,” said Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray, who added 16 points.

“Getting the trophy tonight probably motivated him a little bit, being at home.

“It was a lot of fun and the place was rocking. He had it going so the game plan was give him the ball and he’ll figure it out.”