Nikola Jokic’s performance has been the focus of attention in the Western Conference Semifinals series between the Nuggets and the Thunder, after the Denver team suffered a 92-87 defeat in Game 4, tying the series at 2-2.
Jokic, despite scoring 27 points, had an unusual shooting efficiency, with 7 of 22 from the field and missing crucial free throws in the final moments. After a dominant first game, his shooting percentage in the last three games has been 33.3%.
According to data, this is the first time in Jokic’s career that he has recorded shooting percentages below 40% in three consecutive games, considering regular season and playoffs.
It’s a little bit of everything. They’re playing very good defense on me. They’re very close to my body, physical. I think I missed two or three open shots tonight, so it’s a little bit of everything. They’re reducing the space for me. They have a player behind the defender, so it’s a little bit of everything. I need to do a better job, of course, but it’s part of the game.
Nikola Jokic
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, MVP finalist, had an outstanding performance in the crucial moments, scoring three baskets in the final minutes of the game, which equaled the Thunder’s total in “clutch” situations during their two losses in the series.
I always feel like those are the moments where the team player earns his pay. You earn your money when you close out games, win games, and that’s what it’s all about. And the further you get into the season, the better the teams are, the closer the games are, you need to rise to the occasion.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
In the final quarter, Jokic struggled, going 2-of-7 from the field and 1-of-4 from the free-throw line, contributing to the Nuggets blowing an eight-point lead.
The game was characterized by low shooting percentages overall, with both teams combining for 33.5% from the field, the lowest percentage in a playoff game since 2004.
The start of the game was particularly difficult, with only 25 points scored in the first quarter between both teams, tying the minimum in the shot clock era in the playoffs. In addition, 32 of the first 33 three-point attempts were missed.
I think both teams were very tired after an incredibly physical overtime battle on a late Friday night.
David Adelman, Interim Nuggets Coach
For the Nuggets, this was the seventh game in 13 days, considering the first-round series against the Clippers. Jokic downplayed fatigue as a factor in his offensive struggles, but admitted that the Thunder have implemented a solid defensive strategy, led by Isaiah Hartenstein, who limited Jokic to 3 of 10 field goals when he defended him directly in Game 4.
