During the same week, the Denver Nuggets saw one of their players, Nikola Jokic, receive the NBA MVP, but they also missed the first three matches of their second-round playoff streak, against the Phoenix Suns.
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The 26-year-old was presented with his trophy ahead of the third game of the series on Friday in front of his fans at the Ball Arena.
The Serbian took the opportunity to experience an extraordinary evening, during which he managed 32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. It was the third time in NBA playoff history that a player had at least 30 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists after a game. Jokic has therefore joined a very short list on which the names of Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appear.
“Wow! 20 rebounds. 10 assists. This is insane. Really, this is insane. But he’s the MVP, ”Jokic’s rival Deandre Ayton said on video conference after the game, visibly impressed with the stats.
Nonetheless, the home side lost 116-102 and are trailing 3-0 in their streak.
“I’m frustrated with my performance because I missed some shots,” said Jokic, dissatisfied with the loss. I was not at my best, especially when it comes to shooting. It would be much easier if I started by succeeding. Obviously, they’re the ones who make it difficult for me to shoot shots. I did my best. I didn’t want to lose. ”
Against all odds
Jokic received confirmation that he was the MVP on Tuesday, during a team meeting. He thus became the first Serb, and the fifth player of a nationality other than American, to receive this honor. This season, he hasn’t missed a single game, in addition to maintaining averages of 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
With his 6’11 ”, the center of the Nuggets does not have the physique of the job at first glance. Still, he became the first player in his position since Shaquille O’Neal in the 1999-2000 season to receive the Tour’s MVP award.
Drafted in the 41st echelon of the 2014 draft, nothing seemed to indicate that seven years later, he would receive 91 of the 101 first-place votes to grab the title, won by Giannis Antetokounmpo in the last two seasons.
“To be frank, I never thought I would play in the NBA,” said Jokic, moments after receiving confirmation of his coronation. When I started playing basketball, my goal was to play in the Euroleague, because it was the best league near my country. ”
Without his Canadian accomplice Jamal Murray, who missed all of the playoffs due to injury, Jokic will have to perform a small miracle if he wishes to continue his elimination journey on Sunday in the fourth duel of the series.
