Nikola Jokić is one of the NBA’s best players. The three-time MVP is up for his fourth MVP in 2025, and there’s no slowing him down. In the Nuggets’ Game 2 of their playoff series against the Clippers, Jokić once again pulled off a triple-double (26 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists)
Still, the Denver Nuggets superstar is not immune to criticism. During the Nuggets’ loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2 (105-102) of their playoff series, Jokić was pretty heavily criticized for selling contact to the referees, aka flopping.
In the Nuggets’ game 1 against the Clippers, Jokić allegedly flopped during an encounter with Kris Dunn, and the online community did not spare him.
Fans Did Not Hold Back on Nikola Jokić
One fan called out Jokić for his flopping by noting how the big man would fall to the ground despite his overwhelming weight advantage over Dunn.
In Game 2, late in the third quarter, Jokić pulled off his antics against Norman Powell, who is eight inches shorter and close to 70 pounds lighter than Jokić. Then again, one and a half minutes left, he did that against James Harden.
Fans were quick to call out Jokić’s actions. Though at the same time, some defended the Nuggets’ big man, claiming he takes a beating when he’s out there.
“It was absolutely shameless. But that dude takes so much abuse compared to every other star in the league this is what is takes for the refs to pay attention,” one fan wrote.
Another praised Jokić for his preparation leading up to the flop.
“If you watch a few times, this move actually requires some skill: Jokic acts as if he’s going to run into Dunn, so Dunn braces himself against the hit. I’m not saying I’m a fan of flopping (I’m not), but as far as flopping goes, this is as good as it gets,” they wrote.
Others just straight up voiced their displeasure over it all despite their attachment to Jokić.
“That’s too bad. I am a big Jokic fan… but I don’t want to see this. Everyone’s getting in on it,” another wrote.
While it’s not like Jokić invented flopping, this, coming from him, is just odd. The Nuggets’ big man is one of the biggest players in the NBA and uses his mass quite well to create matchup advantages.
It’s sad to see him try to sell contact like that, especially since he hadn’t really done it until recently. Even if it’s not foolproof, the strategy can work. For instance, Joel Embiid has a reputation for being a flopper, and it has given the Sixers advantages.
Jokić’s Triple-Double Wasn’t Enough To Hold Off the Clippers
Meanwhile, the Clippers bounced back after a disastrous Game 1. In that game, they were plagued by turnovers, and they had 20 of them, which cost them 29 points. Kawhi Leonard himself had seven of those turnovers, but in Game 2, he took charge.
Leonard finished the game with 39 points and five assists, and had just one turnover. He also had a steal that helped the Clippers save their three-point lead at that point.
Meanwhile, despite his triple-double, Jokić missed several of his free throws, which might be due to fatigue from carrying the offense night after night.
The Clippers are now heading home with renewed momentum. And now they will have their advantage and will look to keep it rolling.
