‘Weary’ Nikola Jokic is Costing Nuggets, Believes Charles Barkley

Nikola Jokic has led the Denver Nuggets every time, but his performances in the past three games against the Thunder are concerning.

‘Weary’ Nikola Jokic is Costing Nuggets, Believes Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley believes Nikola Jokic is struggling with fatigue (Image via Firstsportz)

The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder round 2 series in the Western Conference playoffs has been anything but what was expected. Fans and analysts wanted to see a straight-cut showdown between them as the top MVP candidates Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lead their teams into battle.

The Nuggets won Game 1 on the road with a stellar display of resilience over the misfiring. Jokic dominated that game with 42 points, 22 rebounds, and 6 assists. Fans and analysts understood that if the Serbian dominated the way he did, his team could book their West Finals tickets.

Since that game, Jokic has averaged just 21 points. More importantly, his shooting from the field has dropped to an absurdly low 33.7% from the field and a dismal 25% from three. In that span, the Nuggets have lost 2 games and won Game 3 after another Aaron Gordon game winner.

Gordon is not the only one helping the Nuggets tick. After Jokic called out his teammates, they have been the ones helping the 2023 champions stay afloat in the playoffs. But tonight’s 87-92 Game 4 loss has Charles Barkley worried.

He gave out of gas last year against Rudy and big KAT. I don’t think it’s fair to blame everything on the Joker. But he has not played well, and I think he’s wearing down.

Charles Barkley said

The Hall of Famer reiterated that the same scenario happened last season when the Minnesota Timberwolves won against the Nuggets in the West semis. That time, Nikola Jokic’s struggles with fatigue cost them the series. He thinks this series will come down to how the Joker can fix that poor shooting form.

Kendrick Perkins believes Thunder Big 2 are frustrating Nikola Jokic

The Denver Nuggets won Game 3 on the back of their playoff experience. When former champion Kendrick Perkins observed that game, he saw something that could be a worrying sign for three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Twin Towers of the Thunder are frustrating Nikola Jokic
Twin Towers of the Thunder are frustrating Nikola Jokic (Image via Open Source/X)

Jokic was struggling in the 4th quarter. I’ve never seen him get frustrated for as him missing shots. The combination of Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren being on the floor together was causing him problems.

Kendrick Perkins said

Perkins believes the Oklahoma City Thunder could have won that game if not for a coaching error. But the evidence was clear that Nikola Jokic was struggling to score against the Thunder’s twin towers. But he was effective once Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault pulled Chet Holmgren to send in the experienced Alex Caruso.

He did not repeat that mistake in Game 4. Jokic might have ended with the most points of any player. But his struggles to convert shots usually result in the opposition getting another chance. If the Nuggets are to close this series and move on, Jokic will need to step up.

Nuggets head coach believes Jokic is frustrated with fouls

In playoff basketball, one of the ways to frustrate opponents is to draw fouls. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his crew have a reputation for drawing contact from nothing. In game 4, they used that to frustrate Nikola Jokic and his teammates. Denver Nuggets head coach believes those fouls frustrated the Serbian.

I know there’s frustration there. But Nikola will figure that out.

David Adelman said

David Adelman explained how the Oklahoma City Thunder made it difficult for The Joker to dominate the paint. Getting fouls called on did not help, and he could not defend the interior the way he would have wanted.

Their lack of a reliable backup big man means Jokic has to do more than what is required. The combination of that is frustrating the 30-year-old, but Adelman believes his top superstar will figure it out once he watches film.

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