The NBA playoffs have been underway for a week, and they have already altered the outlook for a ton of franchises. However, none of them have gotten shellshocked quite like the Denver Nuggets, who seemed like a legitimate contender in the Western Conference.
But down 3-1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, it looks like time is running out for them in a hurry. It’s starting to show up on their players, too, with Nikola Jokić letting his emotions get the better of him, leading to an ejection late in the fourth quarter.
NBA World Roasts Nikola Jokić’s Struggles Against the Timberwolves in Game 4
After getting called out by Jaden McDaniels after the second game, the hope was that it would serve as the perfect bulletin board material for the Nuggets. However, their performance has dropped off a cliff since then.
After a disastrous Game 3, they lost Game 4 to an almost identical score. In the first round, Jokić has averaged 25.0 points per game. Moreover, his assists have dipped under 8 after leading the league with 10.7 during the regular season.
Overall, though, his play has been incredibly sloppy. Shooting a woeful 39.1% from the field and 18.5% from the 3-point line, he has seen his efficiency suffer. 4 turnovers a game are another indicator of the job Rudy Gobert has done on him.
Things took a turn for the worse, though, in the final moments of Game 4. Despite losing both Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards during the game, the Timberwolves were led by an electric performance off the bench by Ayo Dosunmu.
With the victory essentially sealed at 110-96, McDaniels leaked out on a fastbreak by himself, scoring a layup with 1.3 seconds left in the game. Going against an unwritten rule of basketball sportsmanship, the play spoke to the intense rivalry that has developed between these two sides.
However, after being publicly disrespected and failing to show up in back-to-back games, Jokić was incensed. Running down the court, he immediately confronted the 3-and-D wing, even shoving him in the chest.
Immediately, the fault was placed on the former NBA champion, with David Dennis Jr. of Andscape mincing no words when he wrote, “clown behavior from Jokic.”
clown behavior from Jokic
— David Dennis Jr. (@DavidDTSS) April 26, 2026
Hater Report had a field day with the superstar center. “Nikola Jokic washed at basketball so now he want to start trying out for the WWE,” they wrote, while clipping the sprint leading to the altercation on X.
Nikola Jokic washed at basketball so now he want to start trying out for the WWE 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/uJgMZuI5jq
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) April 26, 2026
However, for many folks, McDaniels walked away as the clear winner from the scuffle. As cameras zoomed in on the two, the Timberwolves star looked nonplussed, even holding on to Jokić’s jersey, while the Serbian superstar was visibly annoyed.
Jaden McDaniels grabbed Nikola Jokic by the jersey pic.twitter.com/Ww1qDVdYnf
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) April 26, 2026
As Fullcourtpass wrote, “Jaden McDaniels grabbed Nikola Jokic by the jersey.”
However, others were in awe of his swagger. “Jaden McDaniels WANTS all the smoke,” Dr. Evan Jeffries exclaimed.
Jaden McDaniels WANTS all the smoke pic.twitter.com/molGHT7kCr
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) April 26, 2026
Hater Report, too, joined in on the fun. “Jaden McDaniels just straight up LAUGHING in Nikola Jokic face. He may never recover from the aura loss this Playoffs,” they added, before making another joke at the expense of the seven-time All-NBA selection.
“If Nikola Jokic ran as fast on defense as he does to try to fight the Nuggets wouldn’t be down 3-1. Bro was MOVING.”
Jaden McDaniels just straight up LAUGHING in Nikola Jokic face. He may never recover from the aura loss this Playoffs 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/RhaMzMLwA2
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) April 26, 2026
Immediately afterward, Jokić was ejected from the game, along with Julius Randle, who also joined the confrontation.
It remains to be seen whether the league takes more severe action against anyone else involved in the altercation, especially after both benches entered the fray.
But for two teams that are squaring off for the third time in the last four years in the playoffs, the intensity might have picked up even more after this.
However, Minnesota cannot relax even with a 3-1 lead, with DiVincenzo out for the season with a torn right Achilles and Edwards’ status in jeopardy.
This Nuggets core already has two 3-1 comebacks on its resume, so it is still anyone’s ballgame when it comes down to it.
