Tensions boil over as Nikola Jokic leads Nuggets to dominant victory

For the second straight game an NBA star found himself in the thick of the action as ugly scenes broke out in the middle of a game.

The Suns had no answer for Joker. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Denver Nuggets bounced back emphatically on Wednesday in their second round NBA playoff series against the Phoenix Suns.

In game five back on their home court, the Nuggets proved too strong as they bullied their opponents to claim the 118-102 win.

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The win gives the Nuggets a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series with a trip to the Western Conference finals on the line.

But just like it was in game four, things turned heated with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic once again in the thick of it.

Denver’s Serbian superstar copped a fine from the NBA after getting into a courtside tussle with Suns owner Matt Ishbia.

On Wednesday he was on the receiving end of an extended forearm after Suns superstar Kevin Durant shoving him in the chest.

As Denver’s Bruce Brown attempted to listen in on a Suns huddle, Durant repeatedly pushed him away before Jokic rolled in.

But as Jokic looked to defused the situation Durant wasn’t interested and extended his arm, pushing the center backwards.

Durant shoves Jokic out of huddle

Durant and Brown get tangled up

KD got a tech after pushing Jokic 👀 pic.twitter.com/KuKAWTOL8a

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 10, 2023

The shove from Durant was as close as the Suns came to slowing down Jokic throughout the contest as he etched his name into the record books.

From the opening tip the home team had the upper hand with the big man tearing it apart in every facet of the game.

Jokic finished the contest with 29 points, on 12-from-20 shooting, 13 rebounds and 12 assists to register his 10th playoff triple-double.

It gives him the NBA record for most playoff triple-doubles by a center, surpassing the previous mark of nine held by Wilt Chamberlain.

According to ESPN Stats and Info he also became only the second player in NBA history to record 300 points, 100 rebounds and 75 assists through his first 10 games of a postseason, joining Oscar Robertson in 1963.

The Suns had no answer for Joker. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The series will return to Phoenix for game six on Friday at 12pm (AEST). The Suns must win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

A Nuggets will win see them advance to the Western Conference finals where they’ll play either the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers currently lead the series 3-1 with the reigning NBA champions struggling against LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

In the Eastern Conference the Philadelphia 76ers lead the Boston Celtics 3-2 after winning game five on Wednesday.

The Miami Heat can close out their series against the New York Knicks on Thursday when game five gets underway at 9:30am (AEST).

Originally published as Tensions boil over as Nikola Jokic leads Nuggets to dominant victory