By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A big night for Nikola Jokic. After an emotional pregame ceremony in Ball Arena, he dropped 40 points in a win for the Denver Nuggets versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“A moment that I will remember for my whole life,” he discussed being presented with the Michael Jordan Trophy after being named most valuable player of the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season.
Making 15/22 from the field in Game 5 of a best-of-seven series included dunks, mostly unusual for the 29-year-old Serbian big. Funny reactions are common for the Joker, though. “I am a freak of nature and why not show my athleticism,” he jokingly commented on additional throwdowns against the defense of the Wolves.
Besides pouring in 40 points, Jokic tallied 13 assists and seven rebounds on Tuesday.
“I am just trying to read what is going to happen,” he continued, talking about his vision on the court, more or less rejecting an apparent and persistent advantage against his opponents, “If I see somebody coming to me, I am going to pass. If I do not see, I am going to try to score. I am basically trying to read at the moment.”
The Western Conference Semifinals series of the 2024 NBA Playoffs Presented by Google Pixel resumes in Target Center on Thursday. If the defending champions fall shy of clinching a berth in the next round on the road, they will host a deciding Game 7 in Ball Arena on the next installment of NBA Sundays.