Nikola Jokić bluntly stated the Denver Nuggets are 'far away' from winning another championship after their playoff elimination on Thursday. The Nuggets lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-98.
What happened?
The Nuggets' frustrating playoff series finally came to an end, with Nikola Jokić scoring at least 24 points in all six games.
Post-game reaction
Jokić appeared irked during the series, getting involved in multiple scuffles with Timberwolves players. He let his frustration out after the Game 6 loss, stating the team needs change.
The Timberwolves won despite being short-handed, with Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, and Ayo Dosunmu sitting out.
Impact on the team
Nikola Jokić had to shoulder a bigger load for the Nuggets, as the team was without Aaron Gordon for multiple games. The Nuggets have been a far better team when Gordon is healthy and on the court.
The Nuggets' elimination marked the first time since the 2021-22 NBA season the team was eliminated in the first round.
Future outlook
Big changes may need to be made for the team to again reach the apex, as Nikola Jokić mentioned that 'if we were in Serbia, we would all get fired'. The Nuggets followed up the 2021-22 season with an NBA championship, but this season's outcome is uncertain.
Nikola Jokić's comments came after the Nuggets' Game 6 loss on Thursday, with the team looking to regroup and come back stronger next season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves' social media team had some fun after Jokić's elimination, while head coach Chris Finch stated the team was motivated after the Nuggets 'chose' to play them in the first round.
Nikola Jokić's performance was not the issue, but the team's overall chemistry and strategy will be under scrutiny in the offseason.
The Nuggets will look to bounce back from this disappointing season, with Nikola Jokić leading the charge.