Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is taking an increasing amount of heat after another poor shooting performance in Sunday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jokic went 7-of-22 from the field in Sunday’s 92-87 loss in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. That is only good for a 31.8 percent field goal percentage, and marks the third straight game in the series that Jokic has shot less than 40 percent from the field.
Jokic has not had a three-game stretch like that since Nov. 23-27, 2018, when he shot 31.7 percent over three games, with his highest mark being 35.7 percent.
Jokic only had one game during the entire regular season when he shot less than 40 percent from the field. He has already done it three times in the playoffs.
In addition to the poor shooting, Jokic is underperforming his season averages across the board against the Thunder. He is just 4/22 from three-point range, and his assists per game have fallen to just five. In addition, his turnovers have soared to more than double his season average of 2.3 per game.
Jokic still scored 27 points in Sunday’s defeat, but that was largely because he went 11-of-14 at the free throw line. He did collect 13 rebounds and four steals while only turning the ball over twice.
The good news for the Nuggets is that they are at 2-2 in the series despite Jokic not playing well. On the other hand, it has somewhat undermined one narrative about his greatness.
Oklahoma City’s defense deserves credit for its handling of Jokic, though the Nuggets would no doubt argue that he deserves more calls from officials. No matter what, if he cannot turn things around quickly, the Nuggets may be on their way to a postseason exit.
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