Memphis Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo entered Wednesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets without a win against the Nikola Jokic-led team. He came close to getting one, but in the end, the three-time MVP proved too much.
Jokic recorded his 20th triple-double of the season to beat the gritty Grizzlies, 122–116. The Joker finished with 26 points, 25 rebounds, and 11 assists, while first-time All-Star Jamal Murray added 23 points and seven assists.
For Memphis, who are moving into a new era after trading their main center, GG Jackson led the way with 21 points, while Ty Jerome, playing in just his sixth game of the season, contributed 19 points and seven assists.
The loss was the Grizzlies’ fourth straight, but Iisalo saw positives in their performance against the title contenders.
“We took a very, very tough Denver team all the way to the end and had a chance there, but they are a veteran team and are well-coached, playing very well at the moment,” he told reporters after the game.
“I love the fact that we didn’t shy away.”
Tuomas Iisalo’s High Praise for Jokic
Iisalo understood the challenge of facing Jokic. Before the game, he described the Serbian star as possibly the best offensive player ever.
He added that the threat Jokic poses rises to another level because he plays alongside Murray.
“Jokic might be the best offensive player to ever lace them up, so that obviously helps,” Iisalo said.
“Murray’s having an incredible season — a very well-deserved All-Star nod for him. But it’s not just their individual brilliance; they’re very complementary. Both can play with the ball or without it. They can run regular ball screens or inverted ball screens.
When you try to double Jokic and get the ball out of his hands, now one of the best shooters in the league has it, and vice versa.”
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