Despite losing Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo to injuries in the first half, the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 112-96 victory against the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 on Saturday night at the Target Center.
Holding a 3-1 lead in the first-round series, the Timberwolves have pushed the 2023 NBA champions to the brink of elimination. But the most surprising part of the blowout was the completely lifeless performance from Denver’s Nikola Jokić.
Nikola Jokić’s Frustrating Night Against the Timberwolves Sparks Criticism
Heading into Game 4, the stars seemed aligned for Denver to crawl back and level the series. The situation swung in the Nuggets’ favor when the Timberwolves lost Edwards and DiVincenzo to injuries mid-game.
Contrary to expectations, the Timberwolves’ surviving supporting cast stepped up to play the game of their lives, while Jokić fans watched an inefficient shooting performance from the Serbian.
Jokić finished the night with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists, but his shot selection and accuracy were dreadful. The three-time MVP shot a dismal 8-of-22 from the floor and went 0-for-3 beyond the arc.
Not to mention, with just 1.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the game already completely decided in Minnesota’s favor, Jokić’s frustration finally boiled over, resulting in a late-game brawl with the Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels.
Fireworks to end Nuggets-Timberwolves Game 4.
Mike Breen had the ESPN on ABC call. #NBA pic.twitter.com/FVOZ9TdCMY
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 26, 2026
After a dismal performance, the failure to capitalize on the absence of Edwards and DiVincenzo, and the embarrassing scuffle, patience for Jokić was understandably thin on social media.
“NIKOLA JOKIC IS WASHED 😭 NINE straight bricks to end the game,” BrickCenter posted.
NIKOLA JOKIC IS WASHED 😭
NINE straight bricks to end the game. pic.twitter.com/3ui9ELqxZz
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) April 26, 2026
“Bro is still clearly injured 😭,” one user claimed.
“Unacceptable. Pathetic. Horrible,” SleeperNuggets remarked, expressing frustration with the loss.
Unacceptable. Pathetic. Horrible
— SleeperNuggets (@SleeperNuggets) April 26, 2026
“What is Nikola Jokic doing? He is just throwing the ball all around Target Center tonight. Timberwolves defense has been all over it,” SMHighlights wrote, posting a clip of Jokić’s disappointing performance.
“This Nikola Jokic series is maybe the worst amongst a superstar this decade. I hope the media holds him accountable like they have with every other star,” NBA content creator Gur Singh wrote.
This Nikola Jokic series is maybe the worst amongst a superstar this decade.
I hope the media holds him accountable like they have with every other star.
— Gur Singh (@HoopFocusX) April 26, 2026
“Fun fact: Jokic had more ejections (1) than baskets (0) in the 4Q tonight,” StatMuse highlighted.
Nuggets head coach David Adelman looked like he had zero answers for Minnesota’s defensive schemes on Saturday night, and his best player looked absolutely disjointed, capping off a miserable night for Denver.
The series heads back to Denver for Game 5 on Monday night. Unless Jokić drastically finds his missing edge, this Nuggets team is headed for an ugly, early vacation.
