Nikola Jokic, considered the best passing big man in NBA history, finds himself in uncharted territory during the Western Conference Semifinals as he battles to help his Denver Nuggets overcome a challenging 3-2 deficit against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Known for his exceptional playmaking abilities, Jokic averaged a career-high 10.2 assists during the regular season and maintained an impressive 10.1 assists per game in the first playoff round against the LA Clippers. However, his current average of just 5.2 assists in this series raises questions about the performance of his supporting cast.
Throughout the regular season, Jokic generated an impressive 16.5 potential assists per game. This has notably decreased to 14.8 during the semifinals. In the critical Game 5, where Jokic showcased his scoring prowess with 44 points and 15 rebounds, he nevertheless recorded only five assists despite generating 20 potential assists. This disparity indicates that his teammates have consistently failed to convert these opportunities.
The Nuggets’ struggles stem largely from their inability to capitalize on open shots. Despite Jokic’s relentless efforts, the rest of the team shot poorly on wide-open looks, with Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Russell Westbrook collectively failing to score from beyond the arc. Christian Braun was the only one to show promise, but even he managed just two successful attempts from six opportunities. In addition, on open shots with a defender 4-6 feet away, the team’s performance did not improve, highlighting an alarming trend in their shooting accuracy.
For the Nuggets to turn their fortunes around in Game 6 back at home, it’s crucial for these role players to start making their shots. Jokic’s remarkable ability to create scoring opportunities needs to be complemented by his teammates stepping up when it matters most. Historically, Jokic has demonstrated resiliency in the playoffs; the last time he averaged fewer than 5.2 assists in a playoff series was during the 2021 first round against the Trail Blazers, where the Nuggets prevailed in a tight matchup.
Despite the uphill battle, there’s hope for Denver as they return to the Mile High City, where they can leverage their home-court advantage to rally together and turn the series around. The key will be their ability to synchronize as a unit, ensuring that their star player’s efforts translate into successful scoring plays. With the right adjustments and a renewed sense of urgency, the Nuggets have the potential to revitalize their playoff run.