Nikola Jokic’s Rough 3-Game Stretch Helps Timberwolves Take 3-1 Lead Over Nuggets

Nikola Jokic's struggles against the Minnesota Timberwolves continued in Game 4.

Nikola Jokic’s Rough 3-Game Stretch Helps Timberwolves Take 3-1 Lead Over Nuggets

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Nikola Jokic is struggling in the playoffs, averaging 25 points but shooting only 39.6% from the field.
  • The Denver Nuggets are down 3-1 in the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves after a 112-96 loss.
  • Rudy Gobert's defense has significantly impacted Jokic's performance, limiting his efficiency and three-point shooting.

Nikola Jokic has cemented himself as one of the, if not the best, offensive players in the league over the last five years. However, Jokic has not found any rhythm in the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Denver Nuggets are now on the brink of elimination as they suffered a disappointing 112-96 loss to the Wolves at the Target Center on Saturday night. Jokic and the Nuggets are 3-1 down in the series.

Despite his struggles on Saturday, Jokic narrowly missed a triple-double as he recorded 24 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists in a little over 40 minutes of playing time. But it is his efficiency from the field that has been a concern for the Nuggets.

Nikola Jokic is coming off another historic regular season. In 65 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, the Serbian has averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists, while shooting at 56.9% from the field.

The Nuggets center has put up similar impressive numbers in this series. In the four games, he is averaging 25 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. But his efficiency has been nowhere near compared to his regular season.

It looks like Jokic has finally found his match in Rudy Gobert. The Frenchman is finally beginning to show his defensive prowess in the postseason. He has put the clamps on the three-time MVP as Jokic is shooting at a shocking 39.6% from the field. To add to his woes, his three-point shooting has betrayed him as well. He is shooting at 18.5% from beyond the arc in this series.

This is their third meeting in the postseason in the last four years, and the NBA world has never witnessed Jokic struggle to find his way for three consecutive games. The Nuggets will need their star player back as soon as possible, or they will be shown the exit doors in Game 5 at home.

NBA fans react to Nikola Jokic’s struggles over the last three games

Prior to the series, there has been a lot of talk about whether the Timberwolves would be able to find a way to contain Nikola Jokic. They have done wonders so far. Jokic will get his numbers as he always does, but keeping his field goal percentage below 40% is a testament to the Wolves’ elite defense in this series.

After the game, fans took to social media to react to Jokic’s rough three-game stretch.

Fans were blown away by the poor efficiency of Jokic. Gobert has shown the NBA world why he is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year in this series. There is no better way to show it than clamping down on Jokic in the postseason.

Nikola Jokic admits he has been average in this series

Heading into the postseason, many believed that Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets were the heavy favorites to take down the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, this year. But they have been far from their best against the Timberwolves. Jokic’s struggles have only made it a lot worse for the 2023 NBA Champions.

Nikola Jokic struggled against Rudy Gobert
Nikola Jokic has struggled against Rudy Gobert (Image via Do Deka/X)

After the game, Jokic admitted that he has been average in this series and Gobert has played good defense on him.

I’m not shooting the ball really well especially from the 3. Rudy is doing a good job with being physical, testing the officials, contesting shots. He’s a really good defender.

Nikola Jokic in his post-match press conference

The Nuggets have everything to play for when they go back home for Game 5. They have pulled off some memorable 3-1 comebacks in the past, and they will need Jokic to play at his very best if they look to extend this series.

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