CRASH OF DENVER AFTER A LEAD OF +19! Jokić played the worst when it was most important, Minnesota punished it cruelly (VIDEO)

Denver basketball players squandered +19 and lost to Minnesota, making the series 1-1. In the end, it was 119:114 for the Wolves, who punished the misses of Jokić and Murray when it was most important, in the pivotal moments of the match’s finish.

Denver convincingly won the first game, and in the meantime, it was announced that Nikola Jokić is officially on the shortlist of three MVP candidates; he decided to justify that immediately against the Wolves, and the start of the match was excellent. However, everything collapsed like a house of cards.

The boys from Minnesota have proven in recent years to be one of the most difficult opponents for Denver; precisely because of that, Jokić and the boys took this duel with maximum seriousness at the beginning, and after the opening victory, they opened the second game explosively.

When Jamal Murray plays at his recognizable level, everything is easier, especially for Nikola Jokić, who in such situations often chooses to assist more frequently. Thus, the first period was won furiously at 39:25, with 11 points from Murray, who added three rebounds and two assists. Braun and Hardaway already had eight points each by then, and Nikola Jokić was satisfied with two points, three rebounds, and as many as five assists in 12 minutes.

DENVER HAD THREE 4–POINT PLAYS IN THE SAME QUARTER. 🔥🤯 pic.twitter.com/GHMoX98QCd
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 21, 2026

Jokić rested, Wolves returned

The opening quarter provided perhaps too much luxury for David Adelman to rest Jokić, which Minnesota utilized for an 11:0 run. Jonas Valančiūnas does not have credit with the referees, easily receiving a technical foul, and the Wolves took advantage of that; only after this run to return to the game did Adelman call a timeout.

It was clear that Jokić had to go back into the game after a four-minute break, which happened after the timeout, and Murray immediately scored to break the run. However, the visiting team did not stop; DiVincenzo sent a clear message with a three-pointer, and Minnesota scored as many as 18 points in five minutes of the second period, reducing the lead to 48:43.

The run grew to 21:4 and then Jokić committed a foul on Edwards; the hosts became nervous and took unreasonable shots, which was “heavily” paid for, reaching 48:47, melting a lead of as much as +19.

GORDON BOUNCES IT TO HIMSELF FOR THE SLAM 💥

Nuggets seek a 2-0 series lead in Round 1! pic.twitter.com/D5Serkg1UQ
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2026

After everything, Denver started missing even open shots, Minnesota took the lead and completely materialized the rival’s counter-rhythm; Dosunmu also started walking through the paint, scoring easily past Jokić, and Gordon joined the shooting agony.

However, everything ended with an energy and adrenaline injection in the last second of the half; Jamal Murray hit a three-pointer from half-court in the last second for 64:64. Murray finished the half with 23 points including 5/7 for three points, Jokić reached six points, five rebounds, and seven assists, while Hardaway was also in double digits alongside Jamal with 14 points. For the Wolves, Edwards stood out with 20 points, Randle with 18.

JAMAL MURRAY AT THE BUZZER. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KRD4Tpoc7c
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 21, 2026

Third period brought a draw

After ups and downs on both sides, we got a complete draw in the third period of play. Free throws were missed, and Murray was angry because he tried to draw a foul while shooting a three, without success. Even Jokić overdid it at one point with nonchalant passes in the paint, so Gobert easily stole the ball from him.

Thus, we had a situation where after five minutes of play in the second half, the score was only 71:70 for Denver, and Gobert committed his fourth foul against Jokić, having to go to the bench. In the continuation, the man from Sombor even missed the entire rim while shooting a three, which is not seen often.

He then compensated for that by waking up, hitting a three-pointer, reaching his 15th point of the match, and two fast breaks flashed for the Nuggets, so Nikola scored once more for 85:79. Not much changed until the end; Denver entered the final period with 93:90, and Jokić rose to 22 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. He has spoiled the fans with triple-doubles before entering the 4/4, but this time they had to wait for it.

JOKER HITS THE HOOK SHOT WITH THE LEFT 🃏

20 PTS
11 REB
7 AST

Denver leads by 4 in Q3 in Game 2! pic.twitter.com/1T3LCnf1sa
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2026

The fever reached its peak!

Brice Brown tied two important three-pointers for Denver, but that was not further validated through defensive play; the paint broke and Minnesota held on at 99:96. Rudy Gobert also returned to the game, while Nikola Jokić had to rest before the key moments of the finish.

At 105:100, Jokić and Edwards returned to the court; they had eight minutes available to bring victory to their teams. The best player on the planet managed to reach his eighth assist, but the team entered a crisis again; a mini-run by the Wolves for a turnaround and a 110:107 lead was enough for Adelman to take a timeout.

The fifth fouls for McDaniels and Gobert followed, so Minnesota entered a problem even though they led 110:108. Denver did not punish even that; Jokić and Murray tied missed three-pointers, and then Gobert slammed it home for a +4 Minnesota lead. The Nuggets’ leaders failed, so Gordon reduced the deficit to one point with a three-pointer, but DiVincenzo responded in kind. Jokić then slammed it home, and then Edwards made a traveling violation at 115:113 with 30 seconds left in the match.

A scuffle broke out between Edwards and Jokić over the ball, Christian Braun then drew two free throws, missed the first, hit the second, and only 19 seconds remained at 115:114 for the Wolves. The hosts did not manage well; above all, Jamal Murray failed once more when it was most important, and that brought a fatal end.