Nikola Jokic says the Denver Nuggets are far from contending for an NBA title in the wake of the Nuggets elimination from the NBA Playoffs.
Denver lost 98-114 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 to exit the NBA Playoffs in the first round. The Nuggets lost 4-2 in the best of seven games series.
In the deciding loss, Jokic registered 28 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists and had a more efficient production after largely struggling throughout the series.
The Timberwolves’ win was more impressive considering Minnesota didn’t have injured guards Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo available.
Speaking after the loss, Nikola Jokic reiterated his commitment to the 2023 NBA Champions as he heads into the final years of his contract next season.
“I still want to be a Nugget forever. I still want to be a Nugget forever. That’s not my decision, to be honest. Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all get fired. I needed to play better.”
“I must play better. I think I was getting in the rhythm from the third game, but I needed to play much better.”
Minnesota take on San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the Western Conference NBA playoffs with Game One taking place on Monday, May 4.
