The Minnesota Timberwolves somehow made Nikola Jokic look like a complete pedestrian to open Game 3.
The Denver Nuggets star had one of his most uncharacteristic quarters ever in the opening period on Thursday in their first-round series at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. The Timberwolves were able to take Jokic, the quarterback of the best offense in the NBA during the regular season, out of his element.
Jokic went 1/8 from the field and badly missed all three of his shots from beyond the arc. The NBA’s assist leader also recorded no assists with two turnovers. But the stunning numbers didn’t even encapsulate how flustered the 3-time MVP looked against a stifling T-Wolves defense.
Several fans called the showing potentially the worst quarter ever they’ve seen from Jokic.
This might be the worse first quarter I’ve ever seen from Jokic he’s a little to a non factor on defense (per usual) and unusually a not good offense player rn
— lagoonnxtdoor (@Perfect0blivion) April 24, 2026
Absolutely embarrassing quarter from Jokic
— tilfurthernotice (@krum_k) April 24, 2026
The worst Nikola Jokic quarter in what? Five years? Ever?
— Kyle Standfield (@KyleStan94) April 24, 2026
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the Jokic Nuggets look this discombobulated. That first quarter was a MESS.
— Corey DeMoss (@CoreyDeMoss) April 24, 2026
Jokic took Denver’s first six shots to try to force the issue against Rudy Gobert, and missed all of them.The Nuggets’ NBA-best offense was held to 11 points in the first quarter, as Jokic appeared out of his depth.
Jokic usually plays off his supreme passing ability and lets his offense come within the flow of the game.
That wasn’t the case on Thursday. The Joker desperately tried to find his shot and abandoned the pass-first mentality that has long been at the center of the Nuggets’ success. The Timberwolves took advantage with a 61-39 lead at the half.
Timberwolves swingman Jaden McDaniels threw some series shade at Jokic and the rest of the Nuggets after Game 2. Minnesota backed that talk up right away.
