Former Virginia Tech star makes NBA history in Timberwolves' win over Nuggets

When the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves hooked up Tuesday night in the Mile High City, Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double. It wasn't that he recorded a triple-double, but it was how he went about it. Jokic dropped 61 points in Denver's 140-139 double overtime loss, but in the end, it was a former Virginia Tech star who ended the night as the hero.

Nickel Alexander-Walker made NBA history by being the first player to come off the bench to score 25 points, shooting 50% or better from the field, making five-plus 3-pointers, having five-plus rebounds and assists, and two blocks. He finished the game with 26 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists with his two rejections. His two biggest points were the final two of the game with 0.1 seconds left when he was fouled shooting a 3-pointer and he knocked down the first two free throws before missing the third.

Alexander-Walker hit two key 3-pointers in both overtimes before sinking both free throws to seal the win. His effort didn't go lost on teammate Anthony Edwards and coach Chris Finch.

"MVP of the game," Edwards said. "He hit big shot after big shot after big shot. At some point, I was like, 'let's just give the ball to Nickeil, and we all spot up.' He was incredible tonight.''

"He's been so big for us all year," said Finch. "Really, really pleased for him to have a game like this and be able to win it in the way that we were able to win it and he was able to get it for us. He's had a hell of a run with us, and this might've been one of his best performances ever."

Alexander-Walker has been an unsung hero off the bench for Minnesota during his time there and he was a big reason they advanced to the Western Conference Final last spring. This year, he's trying to help the Timberwolves from having to play in the Play In Tournament to get a top-eight seed in the playoffs later this month.