Nikola Jokić’s playoff journey in the 2025 series has been a rollercoaster. He opened Round 2 with a dominant 42-point performance, only to follow it up with a frustrating Game 2, fouling out with just 17 points as the Denver Nuggets were blown out. Heading into Game 3, the stakes were high. With the series tied 1-1, the Oklahoma City Thunder entered Ball Arena full of confidence after their Game 2 demolition job.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets were banking on their MVP big man to bounce back and tilt the momentum back in their favor. Jokić, who’s been averaging 25.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists this postseason, isn’t someone you count out easily. Game 3 was set to be a major test for both Denver and its superstar. Check out the complete Game 3 stats of the Serbian big man.
Nikola Jokić vs. OKC Thunder: Game 3 Stats
| Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 20 | 16 | 6 | 32% | 0% |
Jokić vs. Thunder: How Did Jokić Perform in Game 3
Jokić had a rough night in Denver’s Game 3 win over the Thunder. While the Nuggets pulled off a gritty 113-104 overtime victory, Jokić’s individual performance fell far below expectations.
He finished with 20 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists in 43 minutes — good numbers on paper, but they don’t tell the full story. Jokić shot just 8-of-25 from the field, including a miserable 0-of-10 from deep. His 32% shooting night, coupled with a quiet first half where he had just eight points on 2-of-9 shooting and committed five turnovers, made it clear –OKC’s defense was in his head.
This was perhaps the best any team has defended Jokić in these playoffs. The Thunder’s length and athleticism disrupted his rhythm, took away passing lanes, and forced him into tough shots. He couldn’t find a groove, and the MVP looked visibly frustrated at times.
Luckily for Denver, Jamal Murray (27 points) and Aaron Gordon (22 points) stepped up when needed, especially in overtime, where the Nuggets outscored OKC 11-2 to seal the win. Jokić knocked down a short jumper late in OT, but overall, it was a night where Denver won despite their star not being up to the mark.
For the Nuggets to take control of this series, they’ll need a better version of Jokić moving forward.
Jokić Shows Up in Joker Style
Jokić made a strong entrance before Game 3. He arrived at Ball Arena wearing a purple suit, green vest, and a chain. It looked just like the outfit worn by the Joker, the Batman villain.
Nikola Jokic showed up for Game 3 of Nuggets-Thunder dressed as the Joker 😅🃏
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/twWQjRtDkO
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 9, 2025
Fans have often called Jokić “The Joker,” and this outfit was a fun nod to that nickname. He turned heads before even stepping on the court.
Jokić vs. Thunder: Head-to-Head 2024-25 Regular Season Stats
Jokić has had a strong showing against the Thunder throughout the 2024–25 season, consistently stuffing the stat sheet every time the two teams met. In four regular-season matchups, the Nuggets star averaged 24.5 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 11.5 assists. It showcases how versatile the Serbian big man is and how lethal he can be when on fire.
Here’s how he performed in each game:
- Oct. 24, 2024:16 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists
- Nov. 6, 2024: 23 points, 20 rebounds, 16 assists
- March 9, 2025: 24 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists
- March 10, 2025: 35 points, 18 rebounds, 8 assists
Whether it was his court vision or relentless effort on the boards, Jokić found ways to impact every game. His scoring picked up as the season went on, culminating in a 35-point outing in their final regular-season clash. Clearly, OKC has had its hands full trying to contain the reigning MVP candidate.