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Nikola Jokic · Thinking aloud through a list of things that could hypothetically help him conquer the Minnesota Timberwolves’ No. 1-ranked defense, Nikola Jokić settled on the idea that he wouldn’t mind having a duplicate clone of himself. One week later, with the series tied on his home floor, the soon-to-be three-time Most Valuable Player found that a vintage performance — predictably built with a jaw-dropping box score — worked just as well. All smiles on a night that began with the raising of yet another trophy signifying his brilliance, the Denver Nuggets superstar supported it by raising his game, overwhelming Minnesota with all of his usual tricks. Some passes went behind his back; others traveled the length of the court. Some of his shots featured extravagant reverse-pivots, featuring just enough arc to surpass the reach of Rudy Gobert; others came along the perimeter. The end result, though, remained the same, as the Nuggets cruised to a convincing 3-2 series edge with a win on May 14, 2024. Bringing his A-game on the big stage, Jokić was magnificent, pouring in 40 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, one block, and two 3-pointers along the way. · State of Mint