The Denver Nuggets are navigating a challenging postseason with two primary objectives: secure victories and keep their star center, Nikola Jokić, healthy. So far, they’ve managed to find success on both fronts, though concerns regarding Jokić’s well-being are beginning to surface.
The physicality of playoff basketball has come to the forefront, particularly in the contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Following the Thunder’s decisive 149-106 victory in Game 2, Denver forward Aaron Gordon voiced his thoughts on the aggressive tactics used against Jokić. Gordon urged officials to keep a closer eye on the treatment Jokić endures in the paint.
Gordon’s comments captured the frustration: “If they’re going to let them push him and shove him or put two hands on him, root him out, the knees, elbows and all types of stuff they’re doing to him, that’s not necessarily legal. [Jokić] has to play through it. If they’re not going to call it, then they’re not going to call it. They’re fouling the guy… They’re calling the second foul almost every time. They’re fouling Joker first, and then [Jokić] is reactionary, and they do get the second guy a lot of the time. But they’re fouling him — point blank, period — throughout the game.”
His insights ring true; Jokić found himself in foul trouble once again, fouling out in the third quarter and all but sealing Denver’s fate in that game. Despite finishing with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, his reduced presence on the court heavily impacted the team’s ability to mount a comeback.
When analyzing the officiating, it’s worth noting that the balance was relatively even, with the Nuggets tagged for 29 fouls compared to the Thunder’s 24. However, that minor discrepancy wasn’t enough to change the trajectory of the game, especially considering the final score.
After the tough loss, Gordon was quick to emphasize the bigger picture: “In a game you get smoked by 40, it’s not the referees. It’s not the officiating. We’ve got to forget about that in the first place. We just need to continue to execute and be sharp, be strong and just focus on our game.”
Frustrations around Jokić’s treatment aren’t new. Earlier in the playoffs, interim coach David Adelman made his own plea for better officiating after their first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. Following Game 6, he expressed concern over the Clippers’ unfettered aggression towards Jokić, labeling it as “absolutely crazy.” Despite that concern, the Nuggets managed to pull off a win in Game 7, which led to their current showdown with the Thunder.
As the series now stands tied at 1-1, the Nuggets head into Game 3 on Friday with something to prove. Keeping Jokić on the floor is crucial, and if they can manage that, they’ll enhance their chances of regaining the series lead and advancing further into the playoffs. The stakes are high, and it’s a matter of execution, resilience, and perhaps a bit more attention from the officials on the physical play directed at their star.
