Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets needed a bounce-back performance on Monday night and they got one. On the second night of a back-to-back in Oklahoma City, Denver had one of their best showings of the season, getting some much-needed revenge on the Thunder with a 140-127 win after a 127-103 loss in the same building on Sunday.
Jamal Murray stepped it up with 34 points and the role players made it rain from three-point range. The Nuggets shot 60.5% from the field, 56.3% from three, and scored 140 points. All of those were season-worsts for the vaunted OKC defense.
But like usual, the star of the show was Jokic, who led the way with 35 points, 18 rebounds, and 8 assists on a ridiculous 15-20 shooting. There was some question about whether or not Joker would play after injuring his elbow on Sunday, but apparently, he put that talk to bed in a hurry.
Jokic refuses to sit out due to injury
Jokic fell awkwardly on his elbow in Sunday’s loss and didn’t look right the rest of the game. He was on the injury report and dealing with elbow and ankle injuries. Considering that and the back-to-back situation, head coach Michael Malone said after the game that he floated the idea of taking the game off to Jokic and was told, “hell no”.
It’s a good thing that Jokic had the final say as he played great and helped the Nuggets get a huge statement win, arguably their most impressive win of the entire season. The team needed a signature victory over an elite team and this one certainly fits the bill.
It’s such a blessing to have a leader and superstar like Jokic who wants to play and win every single game. He clearly knows that this team needs to get into a rhythm and head into the playoffs with some momentum, and games like this one are a great step in that direction.
Many NBA stars would have taken the night off without a second thought, but Jokic, who has absolutely nothing to prove and was genuinely injured, wouldn’t even consider it. It speaks to his character and the kind of competitor he is and it’s why, frankly, he shouldn’t be looked over in discussions like “face of the league”.
Jokic isn’t just an incredible basketball player, he’s an incredible leader and contender, and a great ambassador for the game of basketball to boot. Monday night served up yet another reminder that as long as Nikola Jokic is on the Nuggets, they’ve got a shot.