Nikola Jokić has three MVP awards to his name and rightfully belongs in the best-player-in-the-world conversation. However, he, like all of his peers, is not perfect. Jokić has not had a dominant first-round playoff series, and the Denver Nuggets stand on the brink of elimination, trailing 3-2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Draymond Green Exposes Nikola Jokić’s On-Court Weakness
Draymond Green gave his thoughts on every first-round playoff series on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.” He thinks Rudy Gobert’s length has bothered Jokić throughout the series.
“Joker has always … struggled with length. If you go back and look at when the Lakers were able to beat them in 2020, the only reason they were able to beat them is because they had three guys that they could throw at Joker with length: Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, and obviously, at times, Anthony Davis … So Rudy’s doing a great job. You have to give him credit,” said Green.
Jokić averages 25.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 9.4 assists through five games. These might initially jump off the page, but the Nuggets superstar has struggled. He shoots just 42.2% from the field and 6-of-41 (19.4%) from beyond the arc.
The eight-time All-Star only shot above 40% in Denver’s victories- Games 1 and 5. For reference, Jokić shot 38.0% from 3-point range and 56.9% from the floor in the regular season.
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At 7-1, 258 pounds, Gobert possesses the height, weight, and wingspan to affect Jokić’s shot. He carries a lockdown 104.1 defensive rating through the series’ first five games.
Smaller, quicker guards have historically scored on Gobert in big playoff moments. Still, when Minnesota keeps the three-time All-Star attached to Jokić, the results speak for themselves.
Denver finished the regular season with a league-best 121.2 offensive rating. However, they dropped down to a 10th-ranked 108.7 offensive rating in the playoffs. This number would give the Nuggets the second-worst offense in the league for the 2025-26 regular season.
Gobert anchors the Timberwolves’ strong defense, which held the Nuggets to just 96 points in Games 3 and 4.
Green made sure to give Gobert his flowers. The Warriors forward also thinks Jokić needs to take more advantage of his open looks.
“[Jokić’s] still getting a lot of the shots he wants, but the length is bothering him. But he also can make these shots. So, yes, he could come out and go for 40…” expressed Green.
Green Believes Nuggets Can Complete Series Comeback
Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota’s starting backcourt, will miss the rest of the series. This opens the door for Jokić, Jamal Murray, and the Nuggets to complete a 3-1 comeback. Green feels Denver has the weapons and experience to get the job done.
“I still got the Nuggets coming back to win this series. You’re down your entire starting backcourt, that’s going to be tough,” said Green.
