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Kendrick Perkins Sends Strong Nikola Jokic Message After Nuggets’ Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated May 14, 2025 10:03 AM ET

Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP center for the Denver Nuggets, has struggled for much of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After he had 42 points and 22 rebounds in a Game 1 win, he has shot under 40 percent in each of the next three games.

In Game 5 on Tuesday, with the series tied at two games apiece, Jokic shot 17-of-25 from the field and scored 44 points to go along with 15 rebounds and five assists. But he didn't get much help from his teammates, and Denver lost 112-105.

Former NBA player and current ESPN personality Kendrick Perkins posted a message on X in which he compared the narrative surrounding Jokic to that of another living legend currently in the league.

"'Bron (LeBron James) gets tired at 40 years old and people question his greatness… but Jokic gets tired and its he needs more help," Perkins said. "We gotta stop moving goal post."

Bron gets tired at 40 years old and people question his greatness… but Jokic gets tired and its he needs more help. We gotta stop moving goal post.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 14, 2025

There has been a lot of talk about how the other players on the Nuggets haven't been pulling their weight and how the team has struggled with Jokic on the bench.

In Game 5, Jamal Murray, who is always prone to go off during the playoffs, shot 10-of-27 from the field, while forward Michael Porter Jr., another threat to get hot, made just one of his seven shot attempts.

In the fourth quarter, Jokic scored 13 points, but as a team, Denver had only 19 points on 23.8 percent field-goal shooting and 8.3 percent from 3-point range, while Oklahoma City put up 34 points.

This series isn't over yet. The Nuggets will return home for Game 6, and a win there would force a winner-take-all Game 7, where the young Thunder's resolve and nerves would be tested.

But for now, Jokic and crew have their backs against the wall for the second year in a row in the second round of the playoffs.

Game 6 is set for 8:30 p.m. ET Thursday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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