On May 15, Beijing time, the NBA playoffs continued, and the Western Conference semifinals Nuggets returned home against the Timberwolves. Both teams won the first four games on the road, and this time the Nuggets returned to the home court, and the momentum was still good, but the Timberwolves could also bite the score, but Jokic couldn't stop it at all in the second half, and the difference gradually widened. In the end, the Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves 112-97 to complete a super counterattack, from a 0-2 deficit to a 3-2 lead.
In this game, the Timberwolves Conley was absent, and Walker started the game. The two teams fell into a tug-of-war, Towns hit a three-point shot, and then the Timberwolves challenge was also successful, the Nuggets scored consecutive points inside to catch up with the score, Walker hit a three-point shot, McDaniels also scored a three-point shot, Jokic dunked with both hands, Porter Jr. scored three points, and the Nuggets overtook the score 16-15. Edwards scored three points, Pope immediately replied, and then the two teams played iron frequently, Li Kaier broke through and broke the wilderness, Jokic scored 2+1, Walker scored three points, and the Nuggets led 28-26 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter of the game, Gobert scored consecutive dunks inside, Malone angrily sprayed the referee and ate a technical foul, Gordon came up and dunked with both hands, and then the Timberwolves were whistled for 3 offensive fouls in a row. The Nuggets also didn't take advantage of the opportunity, the two teams didn't score a point in 3 minutes, Morris broke the jumper, Jokic also scored a basket, Gordon dunked, and Towns also got 3 fouls early. Braun scored consecutive points, the Nuggets began to take the initiative, Jokic scored three points, Walker stopped the bleeding with three points, Jokic and Murray scored points one after another, and the Nuggets led 50-44 at halftime.
Yibian fought again, the Timberwolves launched a counterattack, Towns burst into and out shots to score consecutive points, and came up with a wave of 7-0 to overtake the score, Porter Jr. responded with three points, and Gobert dunked inside. After the Nuggets adjusted, Gordon scored a basket, Pope scored a three-pointer, and Murray countered and dunked, responding with an 11-2 offensive wave. After that, the Nuggets began to take the initiative, Edwards scored 2+1 to stop the bleeding, but then Jokic began to take over the game, singled out Gobert in a row, and opened the difference again, and the Nuggets led by 14 points after the third quarter.
In the final quarter of the game, the Timberwolves launched a counterattack, Pope hit a three-point shot to stabilize the situation, the Timberwolves missed three-point opportunities one after another, Pope scored three points again, Jokic counterattacked and dunked, and the score came to 98-80. Edwards singled to stop the bleeding, Braun hit a three-pointer, Walker responded, and Jokic hit a three-pointer with 24 seconds left to extinguish the Timberwolves' comeback momentum. Murray began to score points in a row, and the Timberwolves were also unable to narrow the difference, and finally the Nuggets beat the Timberwolves 112-97, leading 3-2.
The defending champion fought back strongly, and this time Jokic received the MVP trophy before the game, and he also played very well in the game, scoring 40 points, 7 rebounds and 13 assists, making Gobert, the best defensive player opposite, worthless. Edwards failed to continue his hot streak, scoring just 18 points and nine assists on 5-of-15 shooting; Towns had 23 points and six rebounds, and Gobert had 18 points and 11 rebounds.