Going down 2-1 in the first round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are searching for answers.
While Denver hasn’t been perfect since winning the NBA Championship a few years back, it’s incredibly rare to see Jokic struggle the way he has against Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves.
Following a lackluster shooting and playmaking night, Jokic opened up on his struggles and discussed what he could do better moving forward.
Nikola Jokic Gets Honest On Struggles vs Timberwolves
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a foul during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
âTheyâre a really good defensive team, and we couldnât make shots,” Jokic told reporters after Game 3. “To be a distributor, I need to make more shots then the defense will react. I think thatâs why I couldnât get anybody involved because they didnât help. It was just one-on-one coverage. I need to do a little better job scoring and itâll open up for everybody else.”
Jokic checked in for 35 minutes on Thursday night. The veteran center shot 7-26 from the field, making just 2-10 shots from beyond the arc.
The superstar center finished the game with 27 points. 11 of his points came from the free-throw line. Typically a triple-double threat, Jokic had just three assists on the night. He turned the ball over four times.
GettyDENVER, COLORADO – APRIL 18: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets boxes out Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.
After slowing down Jokic in Game 1, the Timberwolves remained confident in Gobert’s ability to shut him down moving forward, despite going down 0-1 in the series.
Since then, Gobert has been playing at an elite level and bothering Jokic to the point where the Nuggets don’t seem to have answers at the moment.
Beyond Jokic, just one other starter notched double-digit scoring. Jamal Murray score 16 points, missing all five of his shots from three. The trio of Cam Johnson, Spencer Jones, and Christian Braun combined for 14 points, with four field goals made.
GettyDENVER, COLORADO – MARCH 1: Cameron Johnson #23 of the Denver Nuggets makes a pass against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Ball Arena on March 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
Minnesota defeated the Nuggets 113-96 to take a 2-1 series lead.
The Nuggets and the Timberwolves will resume the series on Saturday, April 25, at 8:30 PM ET. Denver is looking to avoid falling into a 1-3 hold before the series returns to Colorado next Monday.
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