Nikola Jokic walked out of Ball Enviornment with 40 factors, 13 assists and eight rebounds, however his largest message after Denver’s 136-134 overtime win over San Antonio was concerning the degree of the sport itself.
“I imply I feel he doesn’t convey out of… they’re enjoying… they’re actually good workforce,” Jokic mentioned of Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. “They’re quantity two within the West and so they received a whole lot of video games in previous two months and they’re an enormous problem.”
Denver wanted each little bit of that problem. The Nuggets trailed by 13 within the fourth quarter earlier than Aaron Gordon tied the sport late in regulation and the workforce held on in additional time to snap San Antonio’s 11-game successful streak.
Jokic mentioned the opening quarter was the one stretch that felt off for Denver. “After first quarter I feel we had been significantly better and we sort of had been within the sport and like after that first quarter I feel it felt like a playable sport.”
The Nuggets closed the ultimate 14 minutes, together with additional time, by outscoring the Spurs 40-27. Jokic mentioned the outcome got here from toughness, not panic.
“I feel we had a superb job right this moment and simply possibly somewhat bit extra display, possibly somewhat bit extra separation, , be decisive,” he mentioned. “So I feel the hesitation towards them kills you and simply when you’ve got open look you simply shoot it.”
That very same mindset carried into Denver’s late-game shot choice. Jokic mentioned the workforce trusted the proper reads when the protection loaded up on him. “Open man wins,” he mentioned. “When you open you bought to let it fly you bought to shoot the ball be aggressive.”
Jokic additionally praised Aaron Gordon’s protection on Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox. “He’s undoubtedly probably the most versatile defenders within the league,” Jokic mentioned. “He can guard a number of positions and he was actually good tonight.”
The floater Jokic hit late in additional time additionally got here up, and he smiled on the query. “I simply throw it up and having fun with the movement and hopefully not let it fly,” he mentioned. “Mike Miller at all times say let it fly, benefit from the second, and hopefully it’s going to go in.”
Requested concerning the stress of a sport that felt just like the postseason, Jokic stored it easy. “I imply I feel the second of the sport proper now,” he mentioned. “If we lose the subsequent one which this one doesn’t matter in any respect.”
He additionally mirrored on the broader NBA stage. “I feel the league is so so so gifted and there may be so many matchups and so many good groups enjoying towards one another,” Jokic mentioned. “It’s simply I feel it’s a terrific to be fan of basketball proper now.”
Jokic ended on the identical word Denver wants most down the stretch. “We discovered a technique to win,” he mentioned. “I feel proper now on this a part of a season that’s crucial factor.”
