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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic openly reflected on key late-game decisions after a 119-114 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference playoffs on Monday night at Ball Arena.
The three-time MVP explained a pivotal possession late in the fourth quarter, saying, “I thought I had him and kind of stepped up and jumped in there. I thought I had a pass, but I should definitely take that floater.”
He acknowledged the balance between shot creation and playmaking in high-pressure moments, adding, “We had two free throws, so it was not a bad ending, but I definitely should have took that floater.”
Minnesota’s defensive structure, anchored by Rudy Gobert, also shaped Jokic’s approach throughout the game. “He is good. He is a really good defensive player and he is making you make tough shots,” the Serbian star said. “He is being big and long. He can reach the ball from any angle, any position.”
The Nuggets star stressed composure after momentum swings that defined the second quarter, noting, “I think we just need to stay composed and not lose the idea. I think we did not. It just happened.”
Jokic also pointed to Minnesota’s hot stretch as a major factor in the shift, saying, “They had a really good period in the second quarter when they were really pushing the ball, really making shots. Everything was kind of going. They scored 39 points.”
Despite the loss, he compared the flow of the game to Denver’s own comeback in Game 1, emphasizing playoff volatility: “We can say about the first game when they had like an 11 point lead and we came back. So it is going to happen.”
When asked about small-ball defensive looks from Minnesota, Jokic focused on offensive execution rather than matchups, stating, “As long as we create open looks, I think we are going to be fine. We cannot be unhappy with open looks whoever is shooting the ball.”
He reinforced that philosophy further, adding, “The open man wins and if we take and create open looks I think we are going to be fine in any matchup situation.”
On the final possession, Jokic also addressed the decision-making sequence involving Jamal Murray, saying, “It is decision making in those moments. I think we still had time.”
He continued, “If we made the shot I think we should still have time to foul and kind of get us organized and do something. Maybe the miss is the situation in that moment.”
The Timberwolves’ comeback, powered by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, tied the series 1-1, with Minnesota outscoring Denver 20-3 in second-chance points and finishing the fourth quarter stronger.
Game 3 shifts to Minneapolis, where Jokic and the Nuggets will aim to regain control of the series in what has become a tightly contested Western Conference battle.
