When Nikola Jokic put up 27 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists in Game 5, it felt like a turning point. With the Minnesota Timberwolves massively shorthanded, Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu all out for Game 6, many expected The Joker to take over the series and swing the outcome in his team’s favor.
Instead, the Denver Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the first time in four years, drawing heavy criticism for the three-time MVP.
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Austin Rivers acknowledged the criticism but also pushed back on the narrative. While losing to a heavily shorthanded team raises fair questions, Jokic still dominated statistically.
“Nikola’s bad numbers are everybody’s good numbers. He’s one of the greatest centers of all time. This is the, I hate saying worst I’ve ever seen him play, because he still puts up good numbers. This is the most challenged I’ve ever seen Nikola play,” Rivers said on the ‘Dan Patrick Show.’ “I’m just so used to him having his way with everyone, including Rudy.”
Jokic did his best, statistically
Over the six games, the Serbian center averaged 25.8 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.5 assists – leading all players in scoring, rebounding and playmaking in the series.
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Moreover, he grabbed game-high rebounds in five of the six contests, recorded a game-high scoring performance twice and posted two triple-doubles. Those numbers clearly define control, even if the outcome didn’t reflect it.
That said, the inefficiencies were uncharacteristic. Jokic just shot 19.4 percent from three-point range and committed a series-high 23 turnovers – clear indicators that the T-Wolves and Rudy Gobert disrupted his usual rhythm. For a player known to dictate tempo and pace, those struggles were telling.
Still placing the entire burden on Jokic overlooks the broader picture. All-Star Jamal Murray and 6MOTY Finalist Tim Hardaway Jr. both saw dips in their scoring compared to the regular season, showing how they faded under pressure when the high-stakes situation demanded consistency. Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon once again dealt with injuries, which further shorthanded the Nuggets.
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Jokic faces scrutiny like other all-time talents
But there may be a broader lens to this reaction as well. Had LeBron James, being in his MVP, All-NBA-esque prime, suffered an early playoff exit against a masisvelt shorthanded team, the scrutiny would have been intense.
The same logic is now being applied to the Serbian big man, who was initially expected to lead his team to the Conference finals at the very least, especially after they closed out the regular season on a 12-game winning streak.
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That being said, this moment reflects the double-edged nature of greatness. The same voice that elevates a player into all-time conversations will be the first to criticize when expectations aren’t met.
Jokic’s averages in the series show he didn’t disappear like several others on the team, but in the playoffs, especially for superstars, how your team loses often matters just as much as anything.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.