Nuggets star Nikola Jokic makes tough admission on his performance after Game 3 against Oklahoma City Thunder

The Denver Nuggets made a strong statement by winning Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This time, the offense worked with precision. Four players scored more than 20 points, which marked a clear improvement. Jamal Murray led the way with 27 points and showed great confidence. After the game, Nikola Jokic reflected on his performance and made a tough, honest statement.

“Basically, I was the worst player on the court today. But we won the game. And that’s most important,”stated Nikola Jokic. Apparently, he holds to a high standard. Still, his performance was far from poor. He played 43 minutes, scored 20 points, and grabbed 16 rebounds. He also finished just four assists shy of a triple-double.

However, the matchup against the Thunder exposed rare struggles. He posted his worst true shooting percentage in a NBA playoff game. He also committed the most turnovers and missed the most three-pointers of his postseason career. On top of that, he had his second-most missed shots ever in the playoffs.

Even so, he still led his team in rebounds and stayed one of the most influential players on the court. His low numbers still compare to other players’ best performances, which makes it even more impressive.

Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets looks at the referee after he thought a foul was committed on him

Although the Nuggets secured an important win, they still have a long way to go. The Thunder need three more wins to advance, while the Nuggets just need two. Therefore, they must stay focused and avoid complacency. On the bright side, they seem to have found a path to take control of the series. Interim head coach David Adelman fixed the team’s offensive struggles. He helped them bounce back despite their recent downslide.

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Nikola Jokic passes NBA legend John Stockton after Denver’s loss to Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2

Jamal Murray earns high praise from Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman

Jamal Murray has delivered in the postseason. In all three games, he ranked among the team’s top scorers. He has shown consistency and confidence, stepping up when it matters most. However, despite his strong performances, many continue to overlook him. Even so, interim head coach David Adelman chose to speak up. He made sure to highlight the importance of the 28-year-old and his impact on the team.

“He’s (Jamal Murray) so mentally tough. He’s another one of those cogs in that room that have been around and seen it, and they know when it’s winning time what they got to give to find a way to win it so, so proud of Jamal,” stated David Adelman.

In the face of Jokic’s low productivity, Jamal Murray responded with efficiency. He maintained his scoring and creative presence. In nearly 48 minutes against the Thunder, he scored 27 points. He also added 4 rebounds and 8 assists. That all-around performance kept Denver competitive. If the Nuggets want to go far in the postseason, Murray must stay consistent. His role becomes even more important when Jokic is not at his best.