In a heart-stopping Game 5 showdown, the Denver Nuggets found themselves flirting with playoff disaster, despite a sensational performance from star center Nikola Jokic. After experiencing a shocking shooting slump, Jokic roared back with an impressive 44-point output, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win against the formidable Oklahoma City Thunder, who triumphed 112-105.

Head coach David Adelman praised Jokic's incredible effort, stating, “Nikola played incredible. Our effort was amazing, but we know there’s more we can give. If we get open shots like we did tonight, we have what it takes to perform exceptionally well in Game 6 and beyond.”

Jokic’s Game 5 was nothing short of extraordinary. He shot 68% from the field, sinking 17 of 25 attempts and nailing 5 of 7 from beyond the arc. His final basket—a jaw-dropping turnaround three-pointer, reminiscent of his signature "Sombor Shuffle"—tied the game with just 1:39 left on the clock.

However, the Thunder countered with an 8-0 run as Jokic’s teammates struggled mightily, missing all ten of their three-point attempts in the final quarter while Jokic netted 13 points. “We had the open looks but just didn’t convert in those crucial moments,” Jokic observed.

Previously, Jokic had been in a dismal shooting slump, marking the first time in his career where he failed to break 40% in three consecutive games. But in Game 5, he silenced the doubters with his relentless scoring.

“The defense was the same, but the ball just went in,” Jokic remarked, maintaining his calm demeanor even in the wake of his stellar performance.

Jokic's co-star, Jamal Murray, also had his moments, contributing 28 points, including a standout 13-point flurry in the third quarter that pushed Denver to a 12-point lead. Yet, his late-game struggles and missed shots drew concern. Murray quickly placed the blame on himself rather than Jokic, saying, “If anyone should be scrutinized, it’s me.”

Jokic’s impressive stats didn’t stop there; he also secured 15 rebounds and provided five assists while playing 44 minutes straight. Notably, he made NBA history by becoming the first player to achieve multiple 40-point, 15-rebound, and 5-assist games in a playoff series, echoing the elite performance of legends like LeBron James.

As the Nuggets gear up for a do-or-die Game 6, the hope is that Jokic can replicate his phenomenal showing and his teammates find their rhythm to prevent playoff elimination.