The Denver Nuggets edged the Los Angeles Clippers in what may have been the most thrilling matchup of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, pulling out a hard-fought 112–110 overtime victory. While the night featured standout performances on both sides, it was Nikola Jokic’s brilliance—and his postgame frustration—that stole the spotlight.
Jokic finished the game with another dominant outing, helping Denver take a 1–0 series lead. But after the win, the two-time MVP didn’t hold back when asked about a controversial moment that unfolded late in the game.
“I think definitely it’s not supposed to happen,” Jokic said, per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. “The NBA wants to make it a quick-speed game. Inbound the ball quicker … that’s what they emphasized before the season. They said sometimes when I tie my shoes or adjust something, I’m stealing a couple of seconds—and they told me I can’t do that anymore. But it seems like they can do it.”
The moment Jokic referred to involved a bizarre exchange between him and Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy. Known for grabbing the ball quickly to initiate fast inbounds, Jokic tried to do just that following a stoppage. Van Gundy, however, briefly held onto the ball, delaying the restart. The two even tussled for possession before officials intervened.
Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets plays the Brooklyn Nets in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on January 10, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
A growing concern: inconsistent rule enforcement
Jokic’s postgame comments tap into a broader concern among star players: the inconsistency in how game-flow rules are enforced. The NBA’s emphasis on reducing delays—whether by penalizing players who tie their shoes during dead balls or rushing inbounds—has been clear all season. Yet, as Jokic pointed out, those same standards weren’t applied when an assistant coach essentially slowed the game from the sideline.
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Was it gamesmanship? Was it interference? In a postseason environment where every second matters, it’s easy to see why the reigning Finals MVP was frustrated.
A bigger picture: The NBA’s pace of play push
The incident also underscores the NBA’s ongoing evolution toward faster, more dynamic play. The league has introduced several changes aimed at increasing tempo—transition take foul rules, quicker reviews, and faster inbound sequences—all meant to enhance the fan experience.
But Saturday’s situation with Jokic illustrates the unintended consequences of those efforts. When a player who actively supports and executes the NBA’s tempo vision is slowed down by sideline antics, the question becomes: Are the rules being enforced fairly? Or are cracks beginning to form in the league’s new pace-of-play doctrine?
As the playoffs heat up, these small moments could have larger implications. And if anyone’s going to expose them, it’s Jokic—the cerebral engine behind Denver’s championship hopes, always three steps ahead.
