Nikola Jokic made his long-term intentions clear after the Denver Nuggets were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 110-98 loss in Game 6 at Target Center on Thursday night. The three-time MVP emphasized loyalty despite frustration following a first-round exit.
“I still want to be a Nugget forever,” Jokic said when asked about his extension outlook and future with the franchise.
The Nuggets center also took responsibility for the series outcome, pointing directly to execution issues on both ends. “A lot,” Jokic said when asked about his personal responsibility. “I needed to play better.”
Denver struggled to consistently create offense against Minnesota’s physical defense, something Jokic acknowledged throughout his postgame comments. “I couldn’t get guys open. I couldn’t make screens. I couldn’t make shots,” he said. “They were better in every aspect of the game.”
Minnesota’s defensive pressure forced Denver into difficult possessions and limited rhythm for Jamal Murray, who finished with just 12 points on 4-of-17 shooting. Jokic credited the Timberwolves’ structure and physicality.
“They’re big and long. They’re really good defenders,” he said. “They were into our bodies. We couldn’t get them. We were catching the ball far away from the basket.”
The rebounding gap also defined the game, with Minnesota controlling second chances behind Rudy Gobert and strong team effort on the glass. Jokic was direct about the issue. “Everybody had offensive rebounds for them,” he said. “We just didn’t do a good job.”
Denver was outrebounded and also struggled with turnovers, a combination Jokic linked to the overall defeat. “We had 19 offensive rebounds and we turned the ball over a lot,” he said.
When asked about the series turning point and whether the team underperformed relative to expectations, Jokic avoided excuses. “We just lost in the first round, so I think we are far away,” he said regarding the championship picture.
He also refused to place blame on injuries or hypothetical scenarios. “I hate those ‘if’ situations,” Jokic said when discussing roster availability and missing players on both sides.
Despite frustration, Jokic defended Denver’s offensive process, even as shots failed to fall late in the series. “We created the looks,” he said. “Sometimes you need to make it. Missing doesn’t make you a bad player and missing doesn’t make you a bad decision maker.”
The Nuggets star was also asked about the coaching situation and potential criticism of head coach David Adelman. Jokic pushed back firmly on that narrative. “No, it’s not his fault that we couldn’t rebound,” he said. “There is nothing to blame on him. It was all us.”
Denver’s inability to consistently free Jamal Murray in isolation or pick-and-roll situations also loomed large, but Jokic remained confident in their partnership moving forward. “I’m confident in our two-man game,” he said. “I think we’re still good.”
The 54-win season ended with Denver finishing third in a loaded Western Conference, but Jokic admitted the result falls short of expectations. “We put up a fight, but we didn’t have it,” he said.
Even in disappointment, Jokic highlighted internal leadership and collective effort rather than individual blame. “I think we had a leader,” he said. “A bunch of guys stepped up in multiple situations.”
Still, the final word returned to accountability and a commitment to continue building in Denver. Jokic ended his availability without hesitation when asked about his future. “I still want to be a Nugget forever,” he said.
