Nikola Jokić vs. Rudy Gobert and the domino effect that has the Nuggets in danger. Is Denver done?
Nikola Jokić is playing the worst series of his entire NBA career. This is not a hot take. Through three games, Jokić’s jumper has betrayed him, his two-man game with Jamal Murray has stalled, Rudy Gobert has contained him in the paint, and his defense isn’t getting stops.
The Nuggets are down 2-1 and on the road in Minnesota for a pivotal Game 4. How did we get here? One domino at a time.
Domino No. 1: The 3-pointer Five-for-24. That's Jokić's line from beyond the arc so far against Minnesota.
This isn’t just a little three-game cold stretch either. After Jokić returned in January from his 16-game absence thanks to a hyperextended knee, his 3-pointer didn’t come back with him. Jokić shot 44% from 3 prior to the injury, comparable to his 42% last season.
But since he got back: 32% during the season, and now just 21% through three games of the playoffs. Blame the rust, blame the rhythm, blame the knee — the diagnosis doesn't really matter. The shot is gone.
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