Nikola Jokic assesses his game three performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Denver Nuggets got roughed up by the Minnesota Timberwolves in game three, losing, 113-96.
The Timberwolves jumped out to a 25-11 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.
The Nuggets boasted the number one offense in the league during the regular season, but the engine never got going in game three as they made only three field goals on 21 attempts and went 1-9 from three.
Denver also had one assist in the first quarter, which came courtesy of Cameron Johnson. Nikola Jokic had four of the eleven points for Denver, on 1-8 shooting, and two turnovers as Rudy Gobert and company completely shut off the three-time MVP.
Nikola Jokic's Playmaking
Jokic is the unquestioned leader of the Denver offense, and how he goes is typically how the team goes.
In game two, Jokic had just eight assists, down from the eleven he had in game one. In game three, that number was down to three assists against four turnovers. Not only did he not pick up any assists, he didn't create the opportunities that fans are used to seeing, finishing with just five potential assists.
After the game, Jokic was asked what he could do to increase his playmaking going into game four.
"They're a really good defensive team, and we couldn't make shots. To be a distributor, if I make a little more shots, the defense is going to react. I think that's why I couldn't get anybody involved. They didn't help, it was just normal coverage. I needed t do a little better job scoring and that will open it up for everybody else," he said.
Jokic gave credit to the Minnesota defense for their length and physicality on the defensive end.
Nikola Jokic's Shooting
It's no secret that Jokic has struggled from the field in this season. His three point shot has completely abandoned him, hitting just five of 24 attempts for 20%, well below his 38% from three during the regular season.
He's shooting 40% overall from the field, well before his 56% during the reglar season, and seems bothered by the length of Rudy Gobert. He shot 33% when he was matched up with Gobert in game three after shooting just 12% against him in game two.
Jokic and Gobert are no strangers to each other and Gobert is one of the few players in the league who came play The Joker straight up with his size, length, and phsyical strength.
After having success against Gobert and the Minnesota defense in game one, Jokic will have find his form in game four if the Nuggets look to bring the series back to Denver even.