Nuggets' Nikola Jokić Jokes He Needs 'Duplicate Clone' to Combat T-Wolves' Big Lineup

The Minnesota Timberwolves rotated three bigs to stifle Nikola Jokić Saturday night during the Denver Nuggets' 106-99 loss in Game 1 of the conference semifinals.

Jokić says the Nuggets may need two of him to counter the trio of Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid in Game 2.

"To have a duplicate clone of myself, and then I could be fresh when they sub another guy, I'm gonna be fresh," Jokić said when asked how the Wolves could adjust after the loss, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.

He added: "It's a tough game, and they're a really good defensive team."

Jokić led the Nuggets with 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in the loss.

The Los Angeles Lakers largely leaned on Anthony Davis to screen Jokić in the first round, but didn't have the center depth to effectively hinder the Nuggets star when Davis was on the bench.

The Wolves are benefitting from the ability to switch out two seven-foot bigs in Gobert and Towns.

The addition of Reid, who was able to take over when Towns ran into foul trouble late in the game, allowed Minnesota to force Jokić to rush his shots.

"I think that's why they're good. They can play big, they can play small... they're long physical, they rebound really well, they're aggressive," Jokić said. "I'm satisfied with the shots that I took, some of them I miss, some of them I made."

Jokić finished the game having gone 11-for-25 from the field and 2-for-9 from deep.

Gobert continued his campaign for a fourth Defensive Player of the Year award by leading the Timberwolves with three blocks.

The Wolves have raised eyebrows in the past by constructing a center-heavy roster. Three of the five biggest cap hits on the Timberwolves roster belong to centers, with Gobert and Towns alone combining for more than $77 million against the cap, per Spotrac.

That cost will be worth it if the trio can help lift Minnesota past the defending champs. The Timberwolves' bigs will look to hold Jokić back again Monday in Denver when Game 2 tips off at 10 p.m.