In the aftermath of the Denver Nuggets’ heartbreaking overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3, some fans and analysts have unfairly placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of MVP Nikola Jokić. But if you’re looking to assign responsibility for Denver’s crushing defeat, looking at Jokić’s performance is the wrong place to start.
Jokić, who finished with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists, once again demonstrated why he’s one of the game’s most complete players. Yet, despite his efforts, the Nuggets fell short in the extra period, with the final score reading 113-108 in favor of the Thunder. While his stat line may not tell the whole story, it’s important to recognize that Jokić was far from the problem in Game 3.
First and foremost, the blame lies with the lack of support around him. Jamal Murray, usually a reliable second option, had an abysmal shooting night, going 5-for-20 from the field, including multiple missed opportunities in crunch time. His failure to step up when it mattered most left the Nuggets exposed in a game that was within their reach.
“Jokić did everything he could, as usual,” said former NBA player and analyst Charles Barkley during the postgame coverage. “But you can’t expect a guy to carry the team every single night when the other stars can’t hit the broad side of a barn. Murray has to be better. That’s on him, not Nikola.”
Defensively, the Nuggets were equally guilty of breakdowns. In overtime, Denver allowed the Thunder to score 12 points, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sealing the game with a clutch basket that came off a defensive lapse from the Nuggets’ rotation. Jokić was positioned in the paint but was forced to cover too much ground after a poorly executed switch, leaving Gilgeous-Alexander wide open for the game-winner.
In addition, Denver’s bench play was disappointing, with several reserves failing to contribute meaningfully. The Nuggets were outscored 22-10 in bench points, which further highlights the team’s struggles to find scoring depth behind their stars.
Blaming Jokić for the loss is not only misguided but dismisses the bigger picture: the Nuggets’ inability to close out games and rely on other players to take over when needed. Jokić did his job, but his teammates did not.
After the game, Jokić expressed frustration but remained composed: *“I don’t care about the blame. I just care about us being better next game. We win as a team, we lose as a team. I know what I need to do, but we all need to do better.”*
It’s clear that if the Nuggets are to have any chance of advancing in the playoffs, it won’t be because of one heroic performance by Jokić. Instead, it will take a collective effort where every player steps up, from Murray’s shooting to the defense in key moments.
As the series moves forward, the Nuggets must learn from Game 3’s mistakes. The blame game should not be about pointing fingers at one of the league’s best players, but about looking at how the team can play smarter, stronger, and more unified.
