Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic didn’t hold back when he spoke about the officiating after Sunday’s loss to the Boston Celtics.

The MVP candidate may have been unhappy with the referees’ performance on Sunday but said it’s just really part of the game—what’s important for the Nuggets is to do their job. 

It makes sense why the MVP candidate would say this. The Nuggets snapped their eight-game winning streak by allowing the Celtics to go on an impressive 40-8 scoring run to close the fourth quarter. Despite not having closer Jamal Murray, the loss didn’t sit well with the Joker. 

Jokic had another triple double for the Nuggets with 17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds and got contributions from teammates like Michael Porter Jr (22 points and 11 rebounds) Facundo Campazzo (14 points) and Will Barton (13 points). The Celtics were just the better team in the second half thanks to Jayson Tatum’s 28 points and 10 rebounds and Jaylen Brown’s 20 points. 

In fairness to the Nuggets, they've been spectacular since they acquired Aaron Gordon in the trade deadline. Not only did they win eight straight games but Gordon has also already developed on court chemistry with Jokic and Murray. Gordon increases the chance of the Nuggs to make a long playoffs push this season. 

The Nuggets are currently in the fourth spot of the Western Conference, just one game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers have been without their superstars Anthony Davis and LeBron James but are expected to make one final regular season run when both players get back.

The best thing the Nuggets can do now is to separate themselves amongst the teams below the standings to secure a top spot in the Western Conference.