The Denver Nuggets won a critical playoff clash Friday despite Nikola Jokic having one of the worst postseason games of his career. Fans took note.
Jokic tallied 20 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists in the Nuggets’ 113-104 overtime win over the Thunder in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. On paper, Jokic’s numbers looked pretty solid. But his actual performance was not at the level fans have grown accustomed to seeing from the three-time NBA MVP.
Jokic coughed up eight of the Nuggets’ 14 turnovers in the contest. He also shot 8/25 from the field, including a ghastly 0/10 mark from beyond the three-point line.
The Nuggets center’s poor play in a win had several fans trying to dispel the narrative that “Jokic has no help.”
“Jokic has no help” pic.twitter.com/ZU7Dk0X43R
— 🔫🦠🧪🧑🏼🎤♻️ (@godmanblasta) May 10, 2025
I was kinda hoping the “Jokic has no help” narrative was true but it wasn’t.
— 𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙖𝙖 (@arkaavs) May 10, 2025
Biggest lie told in NBA history
Seen Nuggets fans all year saying Jokic has no help but there been multiple games this postseason where they been carrying him
— ✧.* (@HoodiiBron) May 10, 2025
I never wanna hear how Jokic has “no help” again after they play like this when he’s awful..
— d jones (@deshawn26840284) May 10, 2025
Many Nuggets fans were expecting a huge night from Jokic, especially given the pregame outfit he wore for Game 3. But it was the Joker’s supporting cast of Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon that stepped up in the Serbian star’s stead. The trio combined for 63 points to help give Denver a 2-1 lead in the series.
Not even the greatest players in the history of the NBA have led a team to a title with “no help.” Despite some struggles earlier this season, the Nuggets’ championship core around Jokic from two seasons ago remains largely intact. Jokic needed help on Friday, and those same teammates had his back.
Nuggets fans may even see Game 3 as a positive. The team showed that it is capable of beating a formidable Thunder squad without Jokic playing at his best.
