Nikola Jokic sends strong message to NBA fans about Denver vs Clippers playoff matchup

After Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round, the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers are tied 1-1 in the series. The even scoreline reflects the parity between both teams and the elite level of play from stars on each side. Speaking on the current state of the matchup, Nikola Jokic delivered a clear message to NBA fans.

“This series has had a great two games. Even mistakes, even big plays,” Jokic said in the postgame press conference following Denver’s 105-102 loss at Ball Arena on Monday night, as shared by DNVR Nuggets on X. “If you’re a basketball fan, I think this is the best basketball you can watch… It’s a pleasure to watch.”

The Joker put up 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists over 43 minutes on the court, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Nuggets, largely due to Kawhi Leonard’s stellar performance leading the Clippers with 39 points. “Kawhi had an amazing game,” Nikola acknowledged.

Reflecting on how both teams have performed so far, Jokic admitted the series could be swinging either way. “We have had a competitive two games,” the Serbian center explained. “I think we could be down two, and I think we can be up two.”

Nikola Jokic is the Denver Nuggets’ biggest star.

Jokic owns up to mistakes in loss vs the Clippers

Though Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets in points and assists and ranked second in rebounds, his overall performance didn’t quite meet his usual high standards. In the press conference, he didn’t hesitate to take responsibility for his mistakes. “We had 20 turnovers, and I had a lot of turnovers, especially late in the game,” he said, according to The New York Times.

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“I had that turnover to Kawhi, where I threw him the ball. I had that turnover to Peyton (Watson), which was bad,” Jokic added, while also giving credit to the Clippers for forcing those errors. “They were aggressive defensively, attacking us and attacking the ball. They were aggressive in big moments and they rotated and they scrambled around pretty effectively.”

James Harden praises Jokic

Despite the loss and the self-admitted mistakes, Jokic continued to prove why he’s one of the league’s premier players, drawing praise from James Harden. “He’s an extremely tough cover because of his passing and scoring ability,” the guard said about Nikola.

“We put a big on him and Zu (Ivica Zubac) did an unbelievable job,” Harden shared about the Clippers’ defensive strategy. “But, you put a big on him, and he just steps back and shoots 3s. So, you just have to try and make it as difficult as possible for him. We swarmed him, and I think the last two games we did a solid job, even though he got a triple-double. He’s going to get his because he’s so good. We can’t just run at him, because if we do that, he’ll just pick you apart. So, you have to be smart in how you guard him.”