The Denver Nuggets are going to need some luck on Tuesday to stave off elimination against the Utah Jazz, and Nikola Jokic has some of it in the first quarter.

To close out the first quarter, Jokic hit a running 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap off his perfect (literally) start to the game.

This is exactly what the Nuggets needed from Nikola Jokic. He needs to play like the best big man in the game for Denver to win three straight games and upset the Jazz. Despite the great effort from the Joker, the Jazz went into the locker room leading the Nuggets with a nine-point advantage.

The Nuggets got to the second round of the playoffs last season. It would certainly be devastating for the front office in Denver to watch the team regress this season by getting bounced in the first round.

Related NewsArticle continues below
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander warms up before game one of the western conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center with Nuggets' Nikola Jokic in the background
Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s bold plan after beating Nikola Jokic for MVP
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center
Nikola Jokic joins historic Larry Bird company despite MVP snub

—

Follow ClutchPoints on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook. We can also be found on Flipboard where you can subscribe and follow us. Get more on Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. 

All of our NBA content can be found on the NBA section of the ClutchPoints home page here. For all of our college basketball content, click here.

Follow NBA games live by downloading the ClutchPoints App and heading to the scores tab under the NBA section.

You can listen and subscribe to the Battle for LA podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Soundcloud. You can also find new episodes of Battle for LA, the ClutchPoints NBA Podcast, and Establish the Pass under the Podcast tab on the ClutchPoints home page.