NBA: Jokic And Brunson Each Score 40 Points As Nuggets, Knicks Take Series Leads

Nikola Jokić scored 16 of his 40 points in the third quarter, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 112-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. This win gives the Nuggets a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. Jokić, who received his third NBA MVP award before the game, shot 15 of 22 from the field and added 13 assists and seven rebounds without any turnovers.

Aaron Gordon contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Jamal Murray added 16 points for the Nuggets. They can secure the series in Game 6 in Minnesota on Thursday night. Anthony Edwards was held to 18 points on 5-of-15 shooting, while Karl-Anthony Towns scored 23 points for the Timberwolves.

After trailing 55-53 early in the third quarter, Jokić assisted on four consecutive baskets during an 11-2 run that gave Denver a lead they would not relinquish. His dunk with 7:12 remaining extended the lead to 98-80, and a three-pointer at the shot clock buzzer gave the Nuggets a 14-point advantage with just over three minutes left.

Jalen Brunson scored 44 points as the New York Knicks dominated the glass in a 121-91 win over the Indiana Pacers. This victory puts them one win away from their first Eastern Conference finals trip since 2000. The Knicks rebounded from a blowout loss in Game 4 and ensured at least one more game at Madison Square Garden. They can clinch the series with a win in Indiana in Game 6 on Friday night.

Brunson, who injured his right foot in Game 2 and was limited to 18 points on Sunday, shot 18 for 35 from the field. This marked his second time reaching the 40-point mark in this series and his fifth time this postseason. Josh Hart added 18 points and 11 rebounds, Alec Burks scored 18, Deuce McBride contributed 17 points after being inserted into the starting lineup, and Isaiah Hartenstein had seven points and grabbed 17 rebounds.

The Knicks had a significant advantage on the glass with a 53-29 edge. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 22 points, while Myles Turner added 16 points. All-Star Tyrese Haliburton was limited to just 13 points after averaging nearly 30 over the last three games.

Brunson made consecutive baskets to extend New York's lead to 13 early in the second quarter and initiated a nine-point run that made it 65-47 with just over two minutes left in the first half. Indiana cut the deficit to seven early in the third quarter, but New York responded with a decisive 19-1 run featuring three-pointers by McBride and Brunson.