Nikola Jokic Uses Serbian Basketball Example to Give His Nuggets Reality Check After 1st-Round Exit: “We Would All Be Fired”

Nikola Jokic was left frustrated after getting knocked out in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Nikola Jokic Uses Serbian Basketball Example to Give His Nuggets Reality Check After 1st-Round Exit: “We Would All Be Fired”

Nikola Jokic (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Nikola Jokic expressed disappointment after the Nuggets' first-round playoff exit, stating they are "far away" from being a championship team.
  • Jokic emphasized accountability for the loss, stating the team's poor performance is not the fault of head coach David Adelman.
  • Despite the defeat, Jokic reaffirmed his desire to remain with the Nuggets, saying he wants to be a "Nugget forever."

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets had one of their most frustrating and disappointing playoff series come to an end on Thursday night. It was a loss that will leave a mark on them as they suffered a humiliating 110-98 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 at the Target Center.

It was a shocking result to many because the Timberwolves were severely shorthanded heading into Game 6. They were without the services of Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, and Ayo Dosunmu.

After their first-round exit, Jokic said that his team is “far away” from being a championship team. When asked what changes are needed for them to contend, Jokic replied:

That’s not my decision. Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all be fired.

Nikola Jokic in his post-match press conference

After getting the better of the Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals in 2024, the Timberwolves managed to eliminate Nikola Jokic and his team in convincing fashion once again this year. It was a heated battle with some words exchanged from the start of the series.

Over the last six years, Jokic has established himself as one of, if not the best, players in the NBA. He has been an unstoppable force on the offensive end, but that was not the case against the Wolves in the first round. Wolves center Rudy Gobert gave Jokic a hard time, and things were not as seamless as the Serbian is accustomed to.

Jokic was not able to perform to his usual standards, and the frustration boiled over when he got involved in a heated altercation with Jaden McDaniels in Game 4. The Nuggets would have expected to take this to Game 7 after injuries to Edwards and DiVincenzo in Game 6. Even Dosunmu, who played lights out in Game 5, was ruled out on Thursday. In the end, it was a disappointing end to Jokic’s 2025-26 campaign.

Nikola Jokic has no intention to leave the Denver Nuggets

When the Nuggets drafted Nikola Jokic as the 41st pick in the 2014 NBA draft, no one would have expected that the Serbian would be where he is today. Often considered the greatest draft steal in NBA history, Jokic has won three MVPs and was named the Finals MVP when he led the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA championship in 2023.

Nikola Jokic is still the best overall player in the NBA
Nikola Jokic (Image via Triple 333/X)

Last year, it was reported that Jokic told the Nuggets that he would not sign an extension when the Nuggets next offered him a new contract. When asked about his contract extension and future with the club, Jokic answered:

I still want to be a Nugget forever.

Nikola Jokic in his post-match press conference

There has been no indication that Jokic would be interested in leaving the Nuggets anytime soon. Despite the first-round exit, he has made it clear that he would love to end his career in Denver.

Nikola Jokic takes accountability for the loss

After lifting the championship in 2023, the Nuggets have failed to even reach the Western Conference Finals since. The Nuggets fired Michael Malone towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign, and David Adelman took over as the head coach.

When asked about the criticism surrounding his head coach, Jokic took accountability for their poor performance.

It’s not his fault we couldn’t rebound. It’s not his fault we couldn’t catch the ball very well. There is nothing to blame David Adelman. It’s all us.

Nikola Jokic in his post-match press conference

The Nuggets finished third in the Western Conference standings with a 54-28 record. While their record in the regular season was impressive, their first-round exit has led to some rumblings and criticism around Adelman. However, Jokic was having none of it and shifted the blame to himself and his teammates. The Nuggets will have some pondering to do in the offseason this year.

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