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Nuggets Fans: Jokic Mistakes Led to Game Two Loss to Clippers

Fair? Probably not — but such is reality for the squad's 2024-2025 edition.
April 22, 2025
Image: nikola jokic interviews after a game
Nikola Jokić missed a last minute heave in the Denver Nuggets' 105-102 loss to the L.A. Clippers on April 21. ABC via House of Highlights on YouTube

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After the Denver Nuggets fell to the Los Angeles Clippers, 105-102, in game two of their opening round playoffs matchup on April 21, fans on social media aimed their blame at Nikola Jokić for uncharacteristic mistakes over the course of the bout.

But they also acknowledged that without the Joker, the Nugs wouldn't have had a chance in hell of a W.

Fair? Probably not — but such is reality for the squad's 2024-2025 edition.

The Nuggets won the initial confrontation with the Clips on April 21 in an overtime squeaker authored largely by Russell Westbrook, whose astonishing plays narrowly outdistanced his disasters. But on Monday night, Russ, typically the first man off the bench, was less of a factor. Early on, he shot as if taking part in a brick-throwing contest following a two-day drunk. But in a bizarre and unexpected twist, he eventually sank a trio of three-pointers, committed just two turnovers and actually seemed under control for entire moments at a time.

As for the actual starters on the Jokić support staff, they turned in average but not outstanding performances. Michael Porter Jr., whose ineptitude against the Clippers on Saturday night had earned him a bench squat during much of the second half and OT, eked out fifteen points thanks to a couple of threes and several point-blank setups from Nikola; Aaron Gordon threw down fourteen points, mostly at close range; and Jamal Murray cobbled together 23 points via some vintage splashes from deep. But Christian Braun, who's been so consistent of late, authored a subpar effort, managing just five points and making considerably less of an impact on the defensive end.

That left the heavy lifting to Jokić, as usual, and his final stat line looks impressive: 26 points, ten assists and twelve rebounds, for his nineteenth career post-season triple-double. (In NBA history, only LeBron James and Magic Johnson have more.) But the passing savant notched an inexplicable seven turnovers, including one cross-courter that nearly sailed into the stands, out of twenty for the team as a whole. Worse, his prowess at free throws, which was shaky over the weekend, became even less steady. He came up empty twice amid one trip to the line and clanked two other charity stripers, as well. These four wasted points were greater than Denver's eventual margin of defeat.

Leaving freebies on the floor was especially harmful given the performance of the Clippers' oft-injured but currently healthy superstar Kawhi Leonard. He was serviceable two days before, but on Monday night, Leonard returned to the form that saw him reel in championships for the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors. He made brilliant basket after brilliant basket nearly every time the ball touched his giant mitts, especially from the midrange — a forgotten distance for many in the league but still damaging. He wound up with 39 points, and if L.A. had needed more from him, he sure as hell would have provided it.

Despite Leonard's greatness, the Nuggets had a chance down the stretch, but basically fumbled it away. After a great rebound, Porter lost track of the ball and was punished for his oversight by having the Clips' Kris Dunn land on him, apparently injuring his shoulder. Nonetheless, the Nuggets came away with the rock down three with around ten seconds remaining. But instead of calling a time out and drawing up a play, interim head coach David Adelman, who took command of the Nugs from the recently sacked Michael Malone just over a week ago, let the action continue uninterrupted — and it proved a fatal error. Braun, who'd been generally off-target all night, wound up taking a misbegotten three, and while the ball eventually bounced to Jokić, his look was more opaque than clean. The Joker's desperation heave never had a chance.

On Thursday, the series moves to Los Angeles, where Denver absolutely needs to seize back home-court advantage. Yes, the Nuggets overcame a 3-1 deficit to humble the Clippers during the COVID-bubble playoffs of the 2020 campaign, but it's likelier that Westbrook plays an entire game without doing something insane than they repeat this feat.

Just as worrisome is the wear and tear on Jokić. Adelman didn't give him an instant's rest during the fourth quarter, and after the final horn sounded, he looked as if he couldn't muster the energy to smile even if a divine being added to his collection of horses by giving him a unicorn. He can't carry the Nuggets on his own — and now is the time for his teammates to give him a lift.

Nuggets loyalists agree, as demonstrated by the twenty memorable posts on X below.

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Image: Michael Roberts
Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.
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