The Denver Nuggets bounced back from their Game 2 loss with a hard-fought 113-104 overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, taking a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference Semifinals series. Despite the win, star center Nikola Jokic was quick to critique his own performance, calling himself the “worst player on the court” during his postgame comments.

Jokic finished with 20 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks but struggled with efficiency and turnovers. He shot 8-for-25 from the field, missed all 10 of his three-point attempts, and committed eight turnovers. According to ESPN Research, Jokic became the first player in NBA history to go 0-for-10 from three and record at least eight turnovers in a single game.

“Basically, I was the worst player on the court tonight,” Jokic told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “But we won the game, and that's what's most important.”

Nuggets lean on Nikola Jokic’s versatility as they aim to take control in Game 4 vs. Thunder

Article Continues Below
More Denver Nuggets News
Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman looks at the score against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter of game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Nuggets letting G League Rookie of the Year goRichard Pereira ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) talks to an official during a break in play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Shams puts all Nuggets Nikola Jokic trade speculation to bedJackson Stone ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) watches Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoot free throws in the second half of game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Nuggets’ nightmare scenario that would lead to unthinkable Nikola Jokic tradeZachary Howell ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts towards referee Sean Wright (4) after a play in the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game four of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
Nuggets front office ‘not sure’ if Nikola Jokic will sign contract extensionPreston Byers ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) warms up before game seven of the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Josh Kroenke bizarrely brings up Nuggets-Nikola Jokic trade scenarioBenedetto Vitale ·
Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke (left) and president Josh Kroenke (right) during the championship parade after the Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Finals.
Nuggets reunite with Timberwolves exec as part of front-office overhaulAlex House ·

Despite his offensive struggles, Jokic still played a critical role in the win with his presence on the boards and his contributions on the defensive end. His ability to draw attention in the post opened up opportunities for teammates, and his rebounding helped limit Oklahoma City’s second-chance points.

Through three games in the series, Jokic is averaging 26.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, six assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game. However, his efficiency has dipped compared to previous postseason runs. He is shooting 41.4% from the field and just 20% from three-point range on six attempts per game, while committing seven turnovers per contest.

The Game 3 win puts Denver in position to take control of the series when they host Game 4 on Sunday afternoon at Ball Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. A victory would give the Nuggets a commanding 3-1 lead before the series returns to Oklahoma City for Game 5.

Jokic’s candid postgame remarks highlight the expectations he sets for himself, regardless of the outcome. While he has struggled with consistency in this series, his all-around contributions remain a vital part of Denver’s playoff efforts.

The Nuggets, who won their first NBA title in 2023, are aiming to return to the Western Conference Finals as they continue their postseason push in 2025. With momentum on their side, they’ll look to build off their Game 3 triumph and strengthen their hold on the series.