Heartbroken is how the Denver Nuggets felt after a double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. This was the sixth straight game that the Wolves got the better of their emphatic rivals. It’s starting to seem that the flair of Anthony Edwards and Minnesota might be too much for the Nuggets to handle. But Nikola Jokic is standing unmoved. He still believes they can crack the code.

As painful as tonight’s result was, the Wolves weren’t the dominant side. Denver took an early 16-point advantage with their dynamic offense pulling the Timberwolves apart. But as the game progressed, their opponents found a rhythm. It took 21 lead changes and two additional periods for a result to finally reveal itself.

And although not in their favor, Nikola Jokic believes his team is just as capable as the Timberwolves. “I mean when we when we beat them we won the championship. So I think we can beat them. You know it’s uh players are so different. They’re a good team give them credit but I think we are good too. You know in playoffs everything is different so it can happen you know they can they can beat us. I’m not saying but I think we can beat them,” the Joker said.

The Timberwolves may have gotten the better of them in size straight games, but the Nuggets always posed a threat. Tonight, Nikola Jokic went off for a 61-point triple-double to keep them in the game. Moreover, the Nuggets did take the upper hand to start the game. It’s just the critical errors and lapses that allowed the Wolves to systematically break down their lead.

At this point, the Nuggets must feel just as the Lakers did during their postseason series. In each game, the Purple and Gold held the lead, but the Nuggets’ unrelenting resolve overcame the hurdle. Similarly, it’s the Timberwolves that stand in the way of Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets from progressing as a team.

If they do meet in the postseason, do expect the same intensity and captivating action. But it’s the Denver Nuggets who have more fire in their belly because not only do they want to ascend to another championship, but the Timberwolves are their present-day kryptonite.

Michael Malone offers the Nuggets some ease

Nikola Jokic won’t be alone in thinking the Nuggets can beat the Timberwolves. The gripping contest proved that either of those sides could emerge victorious. But as optimistic as they may be about the future, tonight was devastating. After such a loss, discouraging thoughts swirl through the players’ minds. They might question their will to win the games.

As the coach Michael Malone understands. He is in the practice facility every day watching his players prepare diligently. Tonight he saw them scrap and fight to get a favorable result. Sadly that didn’t happen. So instead of pointing out errors such as Westbrook’s late-game blunder, he chose to give the players time to absorb the loss.

Not only that, but he also offered some encouragement.

“I just addressed the team real quick just about how proud I was of them you know for for battling. And I feel awful for him because when you put forth that kind of an effort and you put so much into it and you don’t get the result you know I feel bad for our guys. It never comes down to who deserves to win but our guys did everything within their power to win that game and it didn’t go our way,” said the Nuggets head coach.

Fortunately, the players don’t have much time to keep replaying the game and the pain that is caused. Tomorrow is a new day and another pivotal contest for the Nuggets. Retribution against the Timberwolves may come later but right now they still have to fight to finish the regular season in the best way possible. And that’s all Malone is thinking about.