Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic shared a rather candid response while addressing the team’s chances of making a successful title charge. While discussing the Game 7 loss on Sunday night, Jokic was asked whether the team could win another championship with the current roster. The Serbian big man responded by saying:
“We didn’t, so obviously we can’t. If we could, we would win it. I don’t believe in that ” if ” stuff. We had opportunities. We didn’t win it, so I think we can’t.”
Jokic’s response takes a very real look at the team’s shortcomings in the playoffs. The Nuggets had already battled their way through the regular season to secure a fourth seed in the West. While the team had seen some changes since their first title run, it was effectively formed around the same core that had won the title in 2023.
A grueling seven-game series in the first round saw the team pushed to their limits before moving on to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals. Although Denver seemed outmatched on some occasions in this series, they managed to make it competitive. However, it was evident that fatigue had taken its toll.
Game 2 proved to be a solid indicator of the roster’s shortcomings as the team came up with a 149-106 loss, with Jokic also fouling out of the game early in the second half. Although the team showed resilience and came back from this loss, a series of uncharacteristically poor performances from Denver’s bench would prove to be their undoing in future games.
This eventually proved to be the flaw on Sunday night as well. The Nuggets’ bench contributed a total of 27 points in the 125-93 loss. Additional problems involving output emerged as Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., who was playing through a shoulder injury, had another particularly poor shooting night with only six points to his name, with 3-8 shooting from the field.
A key player like Aaron Gordon contributed eight points and 11 rebounds. However, the forward will probably receive a pass for this game, considering the injury concerns involving his hamstring. When also considering his heroics across this playoff run, Denver is sure to overlook a few shortcomings.
Jokic had a poor performance by his standards. With 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists to his name, there was little the Serbian could do when his team was simply overwhelmed by the Thunder’s offensive onslaught.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his offensive mastery, dropping 35 points to lead his team. He was supported by his co-star, Jalen Williams, who recorded 24 points, five rebounds, and seven assists on the night, a resurgent performance considering his poor form throughout the series.
A loss in the second round marks the end of another title charge for the Denver Nuggets. When keeping in mind that there have already been changes in coaching personnel, it is evident that the roster will see some changes, too.
However, this will become a matter for the offseason as the Nuggets’ front office will prepare and formulate strategies to build a winning team around their nucleus of stars.
