Anthony Edwards stunned by dominant Nikola Jokic's performance: 'I just laugh' / News - Basketnews.com

Anthony Edwards was impressed by Nikola Jokic's 40-point performance against Minnesota and praised the Serbian big man after Game 5.

Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski Credit AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Nikola Jokic celebrated his third MVP trophy ceremony by scoring 40 points and handing out 13 assists for 0 turnovers, as the hosts Denver Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-97 in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series.

Player of the Game EFF 53 Nikola Jokic Points 40 Accuracy 15-22 Rebounds 7 Assists 13

Denver leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 after dropping the first two at home. Game 6 is Thursday night in Minneapolis.

On the other hand, Minnesota All-Star guard Anthony Edwards struggled from the field, finishing 5/15 and scoring 18 points. He added nine assists.

Jokic received his MVP trophy from NBA commissioner Adam Silver before tip-off, then scored 12 points in the first quarter and seven in the second to lead Denver to a 50-44 halftime lead. He took over in the third quarter, banking in a hook shot, converting a pair of three-point plays and making two more free throws to put Denver ahead 88-74 heading into the fourth.

Jokic finished the third with 16 points on 6/7 shooting, whileEdwards attempted just eight shots in the first half, hitting only one, and he didn’t take a shot in the first seven-plus minutes of the third quarter.

Asked about Jokic's third-quarter performance, Edwards couldn't conceal his feelings about the Serbian big man while talking to the media.

"I just laugh," he said.

"That's all I can do. I can't be mad. Because he's good, man. I said that after Game 1 that we won, and Game 2. He's the MVP, the best player in the NBA," Edwards continued.

"He showed it in the last three games in a row and tonight. He was special tonight. I have to give him his flowers. I don't know what we were supposed to do. He was that guy tonight," Edwards commented.

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