Nikola Jokic confirmed his supreme expertise with a spectacular efficiency for the Denver Nuggets this week.
Taking part in with out his two co-stars in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., Nikola Jokic went on a frenzy with a 61-point triple-double masterpiece in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Sadly his all-time show was spoiled because the Denver Nuggets collapsed in 140-139, after a disastrous late sequence from Russell Westbrook, who immediately regained his status as a prime topic of scrutiny.
After his main 61-point efficiency, Jokic was completely working on fumes. Apart from main everybody with factors, Jokic performed nearly all of the prolonged matchup, logging a game-high 53 minutes of motion.
Proper after the marquee showdown, Jokic let or not it’s identified to veteran teammate DeAndre Jordan that he wanted to take a breather.
The following night time he sat out, the workforce’s second night time of their back-to-back in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs, the place Westbrook had a bounce-back efficiency.
“I imply, he completely performed nice. He performed about 53 minutes. I’m leaving the locker room then I noticed him within the coaching room getting labored on and I’m like, ‘Yo, good sport, large fellah.’
“He’s like, ‘Hey, I’m not taking part in tomorrow. My again hurts. You must play,’” Jordan shared on Run It Again.
“I’m like, ‘Alright, cool.’ I knew after the sport that he’s most likely gonna be out.”
Jokic was notably out for five-straight video games in late March as he nursed an ailing ankle damage. And after the massive sport in opposition to Minnesota, he actually deserves a break to get better.
Jordan’s revelation about Jokic’s feedback shouldn’t be taken evenly. The Nuggets must do no matter it takes to supply Jokic correct basketball assist he wants on a nightly foundation.
Just lately, former NBA veteran Kendrick Perkins aired his considerations about Jokic carrying Denver.
“I’m nervous about Jokic,” Perkins mentioned on ESPN’s NBA Right this moment. “They depend on him a lot offensively. “He has to take action a lot to supply that nice offense to make guys round him higher to have the ability to put up large buckets.
“We noticed it final yr. When Minnesota put them out. That was my first ever indicators of seeing Jokic having fatigue.
“What I’m saying, if these others don’t actually begin selecting it up, and right here we’re going into the post-season, I’m having worries that may occur once more this post-season.”
With the 2025 NBA Playoffs across the nook, the Nuggets have to rally round Jokic in the event that they wish to win the title.
