Nikola Jokic struggles as Minnesota Timberwolves claim 2-1 series lead
Nikola Jokic suffered the worst shooting night of his playoff career as the Denver Nuggets lost 113-96 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, falling 2-1 behind in their postseason series.
The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player missed 19 of his 26 attempts from the floor in Minneapolis on Thursday evening.
His offensive struggles saw the visiting team fail to reach the 100-point mark for the first time since January.
This dramatic collapse allowed the hosts to run away with a comfortable victory and pile the pressure on the defending champions.
Gobert marshals stifling home defence
A key factor in silencing the Serbian superstar was the imposing presence of French centre Rudy Gobert.
“They’re big, tall, long. They’re really good defensive players,” Jokic admitted following the heavy defeat.
The Denver outfit had seemingly controlled the series through its opening five quarters before a sudden momentum shift late in Game 2.
A blistering 11-0 run by the Timberwolves during that second encounter completely altered the complexion of the matchup.
Historically poor offensive display
The visitors managed a mere 11 points in a disastrous opening quarter, converting just three of their 21 field goal attempts.
It marked the lowest-scoring quarter of the entire season for a roster that finished the regular campaign with the second-highest offensive rating in NBA history.
The home side quickly established a double-digit advantage and stretched their lead to 27 points at one stage.
“I’ve never seen him shoot what he shot today,” guard Jamal Murray said. “That’s an outlier type of game.”
Supporting cast falters under pressure
The usually reliable 29-year-old centre also registered four turnovers compared to just three assists, marking a statistical anomaly for the brilliant playmaker.
His primary offensive partner was equally subdued, with the Canadian guard making only five of his 17 shots on a frustrating night.
Nuggets coach David Adelman believes the team’s lacklustre screen-setting heavily contributed to their inability to create open looks.
Crucial adjustments required
“He had a tough night,” Adelman said of his star player.
“This guy’s played a million playoff games. There’s nights that are poor. He’ll bounce back.”
The Colorado franchise must now regroup rapidly as they fight to keep their postseason aspirations alive.
