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âIf we were in Serbia we would all be firedâ: JokiÄâs Nuggets crash out in first round of playoffs
TL;DR
The Denver Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, ending their season prematurely. Nikola JokiÄ expressed disappointment, highlighting the team's struggles and the need for improvement.
Key points
- Nuggets eliminated in first round by Timberwolves
- JokiÄ scored 28 points in the final game
- Murray struggled with a 4 for 17 shooting performance
- JokiÄ eligible for maximum contract extension this summer
- Nuggets failed to reach May playoffs for the first time in four years
Rudy GobertDenver NuggetsMinnesota TimberwolvesNikola JokiÄ
Three years after Nikola JokiÄ led the Denver Nuggets to the NBA championship, the peak looked awfully distant for the team from the Mile High City and the three-time MVP award winner.
Ousted in six games by the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first-round playoff series, the Nuggets trudged into the offseason with plenty of questions to answer about their ability to remain a true title contender in the stacked Western Conference. For the first time in four years, Denver failed to make it to May.
âWe just lost in the first round, so I think we are far away,â said JokiÄ, who had 28 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in the 110-98 loss to the host Timberwolves on Thursday night.
Four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert deftly neutralized JokiÄ during the series. JokiÄ found some rhythm and spark in the last two games, but his sidekick Jamal Murray had a rough series. The first-time All-Star, who played in 75 games during the regular season for his most in eight years, was similarly smothered by Minnesota villain Jaden McDaniels. Murray went just 4 for 17 from the floor with a game-worst minus-18 rating.
JokiÄ, who will enter his 12th season in the league in 2026-27, can sign another maximum contract extension this summer. He didnât hesitate when asked about his interest in reupping his commitment.
âI still want to be Nuggets forever,â he said.
Coach David Adelman doesnât have the same security, after finishing his first full year on the job. Will changes be in the works in Denver?
âThatâs not my decision,â JokiÄ said. âDefinitely, if we were in Serbia we would all be fired.â
But in all seriousness, the Joker doubled down on his support of Adelman.
âItâs not his fault we couldnât rebound. Itâs not his fault we couldnât catch the ball very well. There is nothing to blame David Adelman. It was all us,â JokiÄ said.
McDaniels had 32 points and 10 rebounds and Terrence Shannon Jr scored 24 points for the injury-ravaged Timberwolves. With their top three guards missing because of injuries, Minnesota went big with Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid fueling a 64-40 advantage in points in the paint and a 50-33 edge in rebounding.
Minnesota, the No 6 seed in the Western Conference, will start the second round at San Antonio on Monday. The second-seeded Spurs beat Portland in five games in their first-round series.
Q&A
Why did the Denver Nuggets lose to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs?
The Nuggets lost in six games due to poor performances, particularly from Jamal Murray, and strong defensive plays by the Timberwolves, especially from Rudy Gobert.
What were Nikola JokiÄ's stats in the playoff series against the Timberwolves?
Nikola JokiÄ averaged 28 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds in the series, but struggled against Minnesota's defense.
What does Nikola JokiÄ's future look like after the Nuggets' playoff exit?
JokiÄ is eligible to sign another maximum contract extension this summer as he prepares for his 12th season in the league.
How did Jamal Murray perform in the playoff series against the Timberwolves?
Jamal Murray had a disappointing series, shooting just 4 for 17 in the final game and finishing with a game-worst minus-18 rating.
