Nikola Jokic Says 'I Was the Worst Player' After Setting Wild Record in Nuggets' Win
The Denver Nuggets are two wins away from reaching the Western Conference Finals, though Nikola Jokić isn't taking any credit for their success in Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder based on how he played.
Speaking to reporters after Friday's 113-104 overtime victory, Jokić said "I was the worst player on the court tonight."
Jokić finished the game with 20 points on 8-of-25 shooting (0-of-10 from three-point range), 16 rebounds, six assists and eight turnovers.
Per ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Jokić is the first player to commit at least eight turnovers and fail to make a three-pointer on at least 10 attempts in any game in NBA history.
The Nuggets winning in a game that Jokić made history in a negative way is a great sign for their prospects going forward. Their success in Game 3 was driven largely by defense, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.
Gordon, once again, made another big-time shot when his three with 27 seconds remaining in regulation tied the score at 102 to force overtime. He finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 46 minutes.
In the fourth quarter and overtime periods combined, Murray had nine points, three assists and two steals.
All things considered, the Thunder have done a good job of keeping Jokić in check. He did have 42 points, 22 rebounds and six assists in Game 1, so there are limits to how much any team can really limit him.
But Jokić has also committed 21 turnovers in the first three games against Oklahoma City. For comparison, he had a total of 24 in the first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers that went seven games.
This is the first time all season Jokić has had at least six turnovers in three straight games. Yet it hasn't mattered yet because the Nuggets have taken two of the first three games against an Oklahoma City team that won an NBA-best 68 games in the regular season.
Jokić will look to rebound from being the self-described worst player on the court in Game 4 on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET when the Nuggets look to take a 3-1 series lead.
