Should a Game 7 loss impact Nikola Jokic's legacy?

The Denver Nuggets will play in their second Game 7 in the 2025 playoffs against the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon. If Denver fails to prevail at Paycom Center, should it affect Nikola Jokic's legacy? 

Jokic and the Nuggets will do battle in their second consecutive Game 7 after having defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. After going to the brink against Los Angeles, now the Nuggets are facing elimination against the team that had the best record this season. The Thunder are led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the NBA in points per game (32.7) and to a franchise-record 68 wins. 

Jokic is averaging 29.8 points, 14.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists in the series against a Thunder defense ranked No.1 in defensive efficiency in the regular season as he aims to lead the Nuggets to another NBA championship. 

Denver has been through adversity pretty much all season long. Former head coach Mike Malone was surprisingly fired towards the end of the regular season. The Nuggets were losing games they were supposed to win and the team's rapport with Malone were falling by the wayside. 

Furthermore, key pieces in Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon are battling injuries. Porter Jr. suffered an A.C join sprain in the first round against Los Angeles. It is evident the injury has affected his shooting and rebounding abilities. As for Gordon, he is likely to miss Game 7 due to a hamstring injury. 

Yes, the Nuggets won't be at full strength as they enter the finale of another grueling series. The legacy of Jokic shouldn't be in question regardless of Sunday's outcome.

Jokic, a 2014 second-round pick, is one of only nine players in NBA history to have won at least three MVP awards. The legendary list features Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Bill Russell (five), Michael Jordan (five), Lebron James (four), Wilt Chamberlain (four), Larry Bird (three), Magic Johnson (three) and Moses Malone (three). Jokic is a finalist for this seasons MVP honor.

Furthermore, Jokic delivered the Nuggets their first NBA title in 2023 while having a prolific performance throughout the postseason. Jokic's highly effective playmaking abilities and prolific scoring prowess as a center who is not the most athletic makes him an anomaly. 

All in all, Jokic's place and status in NBA history is cemented at this juncture. So, if the Nuggets don't get through the Thunder on Sunday afternoon, his legacy will be just fine.