The Denver Nuggets’ season ended Sunday in blowout fashion, and changes are undoubtedly coming to the organization. Based on what he said after the game, Nikola Jokic might be ready to embrace those changes.
The Nuggets fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 125-93 at Paycom Center in Sunday’s Game 7, ending their season short of the Western Conference Finals once again. After the game, Jokic was asked if he still believed the current Denver core could contend for a championship, and he did not exactly sound optimistic.
“We didn’t, so obviously we can’t,” Jokic said. “If we could, we would win it. I don’t believe in those if stuffs. We had an opportunity. We didn’t win it.”
Jokic on if the Nuggets can still win a title:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 18, 2025
"I mean, we didn't. I don't believe in those if stuff" pic.twitter.com/tLNhA6Modv
Jokic is taking a very literal approach to the question, but one has to wonder what this loss means for the future of the team. Obviously, Jokic will be at the center of it, and there are no indications that he is looking to go elsewhere.
On the other hand, Jokic has reportedly been frustrated with how things have gone for the Nuggets all season. As early as October, he was publicly pointing out what he saw as flaws in Denver’s roster.
The Nuggets still got to Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals, and they did so while dealing with some significant injury issues. It is fair to wonder how many of their players might return for next season, however. There still seems to be some tension within the locker room, and we do not even know who the coach or general manager will be.
After a slow start to the series, Jokic turned it on late, and certainly cannot be blamed for Denver’s elimination. He led the Nuggets with 20 points and seven assists, and also contributed nine rebounds in the Game 7 defeat.
