Since his debut with the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic has repeatedly demonstrated that his loyalty to the franchise transcends his impressive statistics. Despite grappling with various injuries, Jokic’s resolve to guide his team toward achievement remains steadfast.
On Monday, the Nuggets celebrated a 140-127 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder while playing on the road. However, concerns about Jokic’s health arose prior to the game. He had been nursing ankle and elbow injuries leading into the matchup, prompting head coach Michael Malone to consider resting him.
In a discussion with Malone before the game, the coach suggested that Jokic might want to sit out due to his injuries. However, the Serbian player dismissed the suggestion with his usual tenacity, responding, “Hell no.”
Michael Malone says he floated the idea to Nikola Jokic that he take tonight’s game off due to the ankle/elbow injuries. Malone says Jokic’s response was “Hell no.”
— Vinny Benedetto (@VBenedetto) March 11, 2025
While many players might have opted for rest, Jokic had additional motivation to hit the court. As reported by Nuggets beat writer Vinny Benedetto, Jokic humorously noted that had he chosen to sit out, strength coach Felipe Eichenberger would have subjected him to an even more grueling workout than competing for 40 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back.
Jokic’s choice to play was justified by a stellar performance that highlighted his crucial role on the team. He tallied 35 points, 18 rebounds, and eight assists in the victory.
This win against the Thunder not only counted as a success but also equalized the season series between the two teams at two wins each, while boosting Denver’s record to 42-23.
Nikola Jokic Makes His MVP Case Clear
Nikola Jokic is reaffirming his status as a leading candidate for the NBA MVP award, consistently demonstrating why he is a two-time winner. Following his impressive performance that led the Nuggets to triumph over the Thunder—where he faced fellow MVP contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—Jokic conveyed that he remains determined in his pursuit of this season’s accolade.
“This is my third or fourth year in a row, so I really can’t control it. But I think I’m playing the best basketball of my life; if that’s enough, it’s enough,” Jokic stated.
Throughout this season, Jokic has been exceptional, averaging 28.9 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander is also having a standout year, achieving averages of 32.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. Regardless of whether Jokic ultimately secures the MVP trophy, his commitment to delivering his best performance is already benefitting the Nuggets.
Image Source: Nikola Jokic @ Instagram
