The Denver Nuggets aren’t the best defensive team in the association, but it’s painfully clear over the last couple of games how much Nikola Jokic’s absence has affected the team in ways they didn’t imagine possible.
The team, currently ranked fourth in the West, badly missed the Serbian center after enduring terrible losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. While Jamal Murray’s absence played a part in one of those losses, it’s painfully clear that they need the best player in the NBA to finish their season strong.
One analyst looks into Jokic’s condition and argues that the team’s current situation may cost the team a possible Finals appearance if Mike Malone fails to address the issue.
Analyst argues Nikola Jokic’s exhaustion and elbow injury may cost the Denver Nuggets big in the playoffs
Ben Handler of Nugg Love explains that while Jokic may be sitting out because of an ankle injury, exhaustion seems to be the biggest problem for the Serb:
He has looked tired lately, as has the entire team. They’ve clearly been running out of gas and with Jokic’s crazy nightly burden, it made a lot of sense to give him some time off.
He also explained that the injured elbow he’s been nursing since their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder a couple of weeks ago may also loom over them once playoff basketball begins:
Perhaps the most notable change is something that was pointed out by Kevin O’Connor on a recent episode of his podcast. Since injuring the elbow on his shooting hand, Jokic is just 6/30 from the three-point line and 31-43 from the free-throw line.
Jokic is shooting well over 40% on threes for the season and over 80% from the stripe. These are very tangible dips since the injury that happened directly to the arm he shoots with. He’s good enough to dominate games without shooting, but to make a deep playoff run, he’ll need to rediscover that form and it may not come simply by taking a few games off.
Make no mistake: Jokic is still one of the most dangerous big men to play against even if his shooting’s off. His playmaking alone will make him a nightmare to play against.
However, his ability to space the floor is badly needed in a roster that features Russell Westbrook in the starting lineup. If the Denver medical team fails to address the situation on time, they might see themselves endure another early exit.
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