Nikola Jokic’s incredible 56-point performance on Saturday wasn’t enough to secure a win for the Denver Nuggets in their matchup with the Washington Wizards.
However, just one day later, Jokic rebounded with an outstanding 48-point, 14-rebound, 8-assist effort against the Atlanta Hawks, leading his team to a commanding 141-111 victory.
As The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando reports, the win served as a much-needed response after a disappointing loss to one of the league’s struggling teams.
Head coach Michael Malone referred to the performance as “the response that was needed” following the previous night’s setback.
Malone also shared that Jokic, who had jokingly mentioned after the loss in Washington that “a paycheck that is a little bit less than usual” could motivate the Nuggets players, was “vocal” with his teammates during their Sunday morning meeting.
This leadership seemed to have a significant impact on the team’s attitude and performance, as the Nuggets showed a renewed sense of energy and commitment in Atlanta.
While Jokic’s performance was exceptional, the Nuggets’ victory was also bolstered by strong contributions from other players across the roster.
Notably, second-year forward Jalen Pickett impressed with a +18 rating in just 17 minutes of play, arguably his best outing as a professional.
Jokic emphasized that this kind of collective effort is crucial for the team’s success, underscoring the importance of contributions from every player.
Reflecting on his journey, the big man shared insights into his mindset when he was coming off the bench earlier in his career.
“When I was coming off the bench, when I was like playing small minutes, my goal was: ‘When I sit on the bench, I’m going to be so tired that I cannot breathe,’” Jokic said.
“So just give 100% those three, four, five, six, seven, whatever minutes you have.”
Northwest Notes: Jokic, Nuggets, Edwards, Jazz, Thunder https://t.co/Sz0hLsydag pic.twitter.com/8mgMetiWnr
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 9, 2024
