Now it’s the Denver Nuggets‘ turn to have a big game from a lesser-known player after Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu’s breakout performance.
Spencer Jones has done just that for the Nuggets in Game 5 on Monday night, 125-113, against the Wolves in a do-or-die game in Denver. The Nuggets came in trailing 3-1 for the series after Dosunmo delivered a 43-point performance in Game 4 on April 5 with a 112-96 win.
While Jones didn’t put up 43 points for the Nuggets, the second-year forward from Stanford made numerous big shots to help his team turn things around in Game 5. That included his one-handed dunk during the third quarter for a 78-59 advantage.
“Call your friends and tell them it’s the Spencer Jones game,” Stanford men’s basketball social media posted via X.
Jones delivered with 20 points on 7-9 shooting, and he added three rebounds and an assist. He notably shot 4-5 from three-point range.
Dosunmu, meanwhile, had a quieter night for the Wolves with just 18 points on 7-14 shooting.
Spencer Jones’ Performance Leads to Nuggets Fan’s Ode
Amid the fan reaction to Jones, one Nuggets fan essentially put together an ode to the young player’s performance.
“Spencer Jones had a moment! No more ‘he’s a regular-season guy’ questions. No more asterisk next to his name when the lights get bright,” one fan wrote via X. “Officially, a playoff performer when it matters most!”
Jones started for Aaron Gordon, who missed Tuesday’s game due to calf tightness. Missing Gordon could have cost the Nuggets since he averages 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
An undrafted free agent, Jones joined the Nuggets in 2024, and he averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in the regular season. He shot .396 from three-point range during the regular season, which showed up in full force on Tuesday with four threes.
“He was proud to wear that grinder label. It was a role that always felt fitting,” the fan continued about Jones. “Starting at the end of the rotation, work alone doesn’t guarantee anything … which is why this game means something different for him.”
Spencer Jones Rising LinkedIn Star
Jones has been known to post on LinkedIn after having a big game, which he did twice this season after hitting game-winning shots in the regular season. One fan poked fun at Jones’ practice of going on LinkedIn in celebration of a big game.
“Spencer Jones, go write the longest LinkedIn post of your life king,” the fan wrote via X. “You deserve it.”
Among his four three-pointers, his shot from the corner during the third quarter was one of the biggest of the night for the Nuggets.
“Spencer Jones is the name of the Game 5 in Denver,” one user wrote via X and included the three-point highlight clip.
No Need to Keep Up With the Joneses For Nikola Jokic
While Jones’ performance turned heads all evening when the Nuggets needed it, star center Nikola Jokic didn’t miss a beat.
Jokic delivered another triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists. That’s 221 triple-doubles for Jokic in his career, and he tied longtime NBA journeyman guard Russell Westbrook for the most triple-doubles in league history.
The Nuggets also had a big performance from star guard Jamal Murray, who posted 24 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.
Nuggets’ Spencer Jones Elicits Strong Fan Reaction Amid Game 5 Performance