When Nikola Jokic has you figured out, there isn't much left you can do except ask for more help in guarding him. And that's exactly what one Minnesota Timberwolves player is doing, and he's even asked for divine intervention, because sometimes that's what it seems like it will take to stop Jokic and the Nuggets.
Julius Randle made the playful comments with a smile. He knows just how good Jokic is, and just how hard Jokic was for the Timberwolves to stop this year.
"Probably gotta call God and talk to him for a little bit, and ask him for a few favors," Randle said with a smile when asked about guarding Jokic.
Jokic put up an incredible stat line over four games against the Timberwolves in 2025-26, averaging an astounding 38.3 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 11.3 assists. No wonder Randle is asking for divine help in guarding the best basketball player in the world.
Randle also confirmed there is no real way to stop Jokic
Randle was looking for help with guarding Jokic because he said himself, "There's not really any way to shut him off or stop him." But Randle did say he would try his best to slow Jokic down with physicality, size, and speed.
Slowing him down may be all the Wolves have. By all accounts, Jokic is having the best season of his career. He's averaged 27.7 points per game, the second-best mark of his career.
Joker just led the NBA in assists and rebounds. Both categories. Nobody has ever led both of those categories in the same season. The 12.9 rebounds per game are the second-best mark for Jokic, and 10.7 assists are the best of his career.
And for the sixth year in a row, Jokic led the league in PER, player efficiency rating, box plus minus, and offensive win shares. He dominates the advanced stats too.
Wolves have had a tough time against Jokic in the past
Of course, Jokic has played well against Minnesota in the past. In 2024-25, Jokic averaged 35.3 points. 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists. And 2023-24 saw Jokic average 33.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, but only 4.3 assists.
Jokic is actually getting better against the Timberwolves. He's figuring them out. His basketball I.Q. is off the charts, and surely Jokic has something else up his sleeve for the series.
Jokic's at the top of his game. He may not win the MVP this year, but he's still the best basketball player in the world. And Randle is going to need all the divine help he can get to stop Jokic.
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