The Nuggets did the unthinkable and squandered a historic evening for Nikola Jokic, after shedding 122-113 to the Wizards – who hadn’t gained in 16 video games earlier than then.
Jokic was doing completely all the things he may to forestall the loss, after posting 56 factors, 16 rebounds, eight assists and one steal on 60 % from three-point vary, however his teammates let him down.
Solely three of Jokic’s teammates managed to attain in double digits and all Denver gamers bar Jokic mixed to shoot 24-56 with ten turnovers.
After the sport, Jokic was requested what the he must see from the Nuggets the following few video games.
“A response. In my nation, the place I’m coming from, after this type of stretch you’re gonna get a paycheck that may be a little bit lower than you might be value. So perhaps that’s what we have to do. Possibly a little bit motivation that means.” (through Bennett Durando)
The Serbian celebrity additionally recommended one other potential wake-up name for his group.
“What’s the identify of it? Being benched? Being on the bench, I feel that’s actually good motivation, too,” he mentioned.
Within the group’s protection, there wasn’t too many stable choices to show to on offense, as a result of Jamal Murray (hamstring) and Aaron Gordon (calf) had been each out.
The 2023 champions are actually ninth seed within the west, with a .524 win share and an 11-10 document, a far cry from seasons earlier than once they had been persistently prime three within the West for majority of the season.
“I’m doing a extremely poor job with this group. For us to be 11-10 at this level, and shedding to a group that (in) the final 5 video games is averaging 100 factors a recreation — they put up 122 on us — I’m embarrassed by that,” Denver head coach Michael Malone mentioned after the sport.
“Now we have movie periods the place you maintain guys accountable, you tackle the problems, they usually maintain being repeated. That’s the place I take blame for (being) 11-10; I’ve finished a poor job as a coach making ready this group to win and go on the market and execute. I’ve no downside proudly owning that.”
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