Nikola Jokic had a rough night on Saturday as the Denver Nuggets absorbed a tough 112-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 to find themselves down 3-1. Beyond the loss, Jokic also had a blunder after the game, as reported by The Athletic’s Jason Quick.
According to the report, Jokic came out of the showers with a loud announcement that somebody stole his underwear and that he looked “alarmed, panicked, and irritated” during the whole scene.
“He looked up, down, to the left, to the right, bewildered, frustrated and with utter, you’ve-gotta-be-kidding-me disbelief,” the report described Jokic.
Jokic eventually found his underwear in his closet rod and calmed down.
The locker room scene may have stemmed from Jokic’s frustrations on the court as the Nuggets find themselves down 3-1 in a series many expected them to win handily, considering their depth and the Timberwolves’ injury history.
This came following a heated Game 4 ending in which Jokic stormed the Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels in the dying seconds of the game after the Minnesota forward converted a layup when the team already sealed the win.
After Jokic charged at McDaniels, the players split them up with many Timberwolves entering the scene.
Jokic had 24 points, albeit on another uncharacteristically inefficient 8-of-22 clip from the field. He also had 15 rebounds and nine assists.
Nikola Jokic Opens Up on Struggles Against the Timberwolves
GettyNikola Jokic struggles against Rudy Gobert in their Round 1 matchup.
Nikola Jokic has been seen as the best basketball player on the planet today, but his recent performances in the playoffs may have dented his case.
Jokic struggled against the Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert, who has held the three-time NBA MVP to below 40% in the last three games, which the Nuggets all lost.
After Game 4, Jokic opened up on Gobert’s impact on his game and his struggles that have kept the Nuggets from winning a game since their series-opening victory in Denver.
“Like I said, it’s a little bit of everything. I’m not shooting the ball really well, especially from the 3,” he said. “Rudy (Gobert) is doing a good job with being physical, testing officials, contesting shots. He’s a really good defender, and not just him, they play really good, like I said, They’re big, long, tall, handsy, tricky, they’re bumping you. So, I think that’s the answer.”
Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, has guarded Jokic via single coverage for the entire series and found great success throughout.
Game 5 a Must-Win for the Nuggets
GettyDenver Nuggets face must-win situation from now on.
The Nuggets’ backs are against the wall from here on as the Timberwolves will look to complete the upset and move on to the second round.
Game 5, which is a must-win for the Nuggets, is scheduled on Monday, April 27, at 10:30 p.m.
The Nuggets will enjoy a homecourt advantage in Game 5. If they win, they will return to Minnesota for Game 6. A win there would propel them to a Game 7 in Denver.
It is the first time the Nuggets find themselves down 3-1 since the 2020 NBA playoffs when they overcame the same predicament against the LA Clippers.
Nikola Jokic Finds Alarming “Underwear” News After Loss To Timberwolves in Game 4