Nikola Jokić candidly acknowledged his struggles following the Denver Nuggets’ 113–104 overtime victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals. Despite contributing 20 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists, Jokić had an uncharacteristically poor shooting night, going 8-of-25 from the field, missing all 10 of his three-point attempts, and committing eight turnovers—a playoff career high for him. Reflecting on his performance, Jokić stated, “Basically, I was the worst player on the court tonight. But we won the game, and that’s what’s most important” .
This admission follows a challenging Game 2, where Jokić scored only 17 points and fouled out in the third quarter during a 43-point loss to the Thunder. However, in Game 3, his teammates stepped up to secure the win. Jamal Murray led the team with 27 points and eight assists, while Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. contributed 22 and 21 points, respectively. Gordon’s clutch three-pointer with 28 seconds left in regulation tied the game, and the Nuggets dominated overtime, outscoring the Thunder 11–2 .
Despite his offensive struggles, Jokić made significant contributions on defense and in playmaking, recording 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks. His ability to impact the game beyond scoring highlights his value to the team. The Nuggets now lead the series 2–1, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday in Denver.