Denver Nuggets
NBA
Is it appropriate for Nikola Jokic to defend the Nuggets’ 45-point defeat against the Timberwolves?
If you are the Denver Nuggets and you know that a victory would have advanced you to the Western Conference Finals, what do you say after falling short by 45 points in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals? The Nuggets were completely dominated and defeated by the reigning NBA champs on Thursday night, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-75.
After Denver’s 9-2 opening run, the Timberwolves soon responded with a 27-2 run that the Nuggets were unable to stop.Following an incredible 40-point, 13-assist performance with zero turnovers, Nikola Jokic was restricted to 22 points, two assists, and three turnovers in Game 6 on Thursday.
The Nuggets learned a lot from this, for sure. The Nuggets appeared to be in complete control of the series after winning three straight games after falling to the Timberwolves in Denver in the first two games of the series.
The first six games of this series are now meaningless. There is only one game remaining, and the winner of that game will advance either the Timberwolves or the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals.
Nikola Jokic responds to Game 6 smack down
“I don’t think we ought to. When asked whether the club should move on from this Game 6 defeat via DNVR Sports, Jokic gave a prompt response, saying, “I think we need to let it sink in.” It’s a significant loss. We were defeated by them. We were destroyed by them, and you ought to take note. The score was actually something like 9-2 for us, right? It didn’t appear favorable to them at the time. However, as it was a one-team performance.
“I will consider this to be a significant loss.”
During his postgame press conference, Jokic was merely left shaking his head and occasionally smiling with reporters because of the nature of the game. Despite their 9-2 surge to start the game, the Nuggets were unable to match the Timberwolves’ effort for the remainder of the first quarter.
Minnesota’s 27-2 surge at the end of the game transformed into a 45-point victory because they just wanted this game more. Now that the Nuggets are back home, another defeat will mean the end of the season.
Denver’s attempt to retain their title is facing its first real test. Following their terrible Game 6 setback in Minnesota, the Nuggets will be primed for the next obstacle.
“They defeated our a**. In every aspect of the game, they were superior to us, Jokic said. “We must acknowledge it. Accept it. Simply aim to improve the following time. You are aware of… It’s not every day that you lose by forty-five points. So, you know, just accept it? That’s okay with me.
