Michael Malone called him 'Superman. ' At the moment, Nikola Jokic is just super-tired.
The Denver Nuggets big man can't wait to get some sleep after a career-best 61-point performance in which he played nearly 53 minutes of a 140-139 double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
His scoring spree was the most by a player in the NBA this season and in finishing with 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Jokic notched just the third 60-point triple-double in league history. "The guy's Superman," Nuggets coach Malone said. "He's on a whole other level ... not many guys can do what he does."
After his exploits, Jokic had just one over-riding emotion. "Tired," he said. "It was an exhausting game."
"Nikola Jokic, he might be the best basketball player that I have ever seen close up, besides myself," cracked Anthony Edwards, who led Minnesota with 34 points and 10 rebounds. "He is incredible."
The game will also be remembered for a wild finish.
With Denver leading 139-138 with 14 seconds left, Russell Westbrook stole the ball and had a chance to clinch it for the Nuggets. But Westbrook's layup clanked off the rim and Minnesota started a break the other way.
Worse, Westbrook fouled Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 0.1 seconds remaining. The Timberwolves guard hit two of three free throws to steal the win.
Elsewhere, Stephen Curry had 52 points, including 12 three-pointers, as the Golden State Warriors held on for a 134-125 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
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Nikola Jokic is double-teamed by the Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. REUTERS
