Nikola Jokic didn’t dodge accountability after one of his worst shooting performances of the season, but the Denver Nuggets’ All-Star center made it clear what mattered most: the win.
Speaking postgame Friday night after the Nuggets’ 113-104 overtime victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jokic said he focused on making an impact in other areas while missing all 10 of his three-point attempts.
“I was just trying to be there, being physical, making screens, good screens, shooting when I’m open,” Jokic said. “Defense, rebounds. I think in the fourth quarter and overtime our defense was really good, and I think that’s why we won the game.”
Despite shooting 8-for-25 from the field and missing a potential game-winner in regulation, Jokic still posted 20 points, 16 rebounds and six assists in 43 minutes.
The Thunder limited his efficiency with aggressive, physical defense, something Jokic acknowledged with frustration.
“Their hands, they’re all over,” he said. “They’re aggressive, they are physical, they’re handsy, they’re in the shrink, they’re playing passing lanes… I need to figure out what they’re doing.”
Jokic bluntly described his own performance as the worst on the floor, but said his mindset never shifted from trying to contribute.
“I was frustrated,” he admitted. “But I tried to stay in the game and do the little things.”
With Jokic off-target, teammates stepped up in key moments. Jamal Murray scored a team-high 27 points, including pivotal baskets down the stretch, while Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. each scored over 20.
“Jamal was amazing the whole game,” Jokic said. “Mike had a big, not corner, like 45 degrees right slot area three. It was a really team effort.”
Asked about Murray’s all-around impact, Jokic was direct: “He was all over the place… He’s the reason why we won the game.”
Denver trailed entering the fourth but used a lockdown defensive effort in overtime to take a 2–1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
Jokic emphasized that even with his rare 0-for-10 night from deep, it wasn’t a first for him and wouldn’t change his approach moving forward.
“I was open. I got to shoot it,” he said. “I’m kind of proud of myself that I still keep shooting even if the ball was not going in.”
The Nuggets host Game 4 on Sunday with a chance to take a commanding 3–1 series lead over the top-seeded Thunder.
