Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic may be the 2020-21 MVP, but he can't do it alone in the playoffs. That much is proven true after Denver suffered a demoralizing 123-98 defeat to the Phoenix Suns.
Jokic gave it his all in the game, putting up 24 points on top of 13 rebounds and six assists. Unfortunately, he didn't get any help at all from his fellow starters. In fact, as Stat Muse pointed out, the rest of the starting unit in Michael Porter Jr., Austin Rivers, Aaron Gordon and Facundo Campazzo combined for just 26 points, 11 rebounds and four dimes!
The Joker outrebounded and out-assisted the Nuggets' other starters while trailing by just two over their combined scoring!
Nikola Jokic tonight:
24 PTS
13 REB
6 ASTRest of Nuggets starters combined:
26 PTS
11 REB
4 AST pic.twitter.com/Q6V1IR3Zsh— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 10, 2021
Just looking at the numbers, it's no wonder why the Nuggets lost. MPJ was particularly abysmal, struggling as the team's second offensive option and making just 11 points on 3-of-13 shooting (2-of-9 from 3-point territory).
The absence of Jamal Murray is clearly being felt now, but the Nuggets have no other solution but push the other starters to step up. Jokic needs a legitimate second option on the offense, and without one, Denver's attack won't just be as effective as it used to be.
Denver basically survived the first round because of the Portland Trail Blazers' poor defense, but against a Suns team that is balanced offensively and defensively, Nikola Jokic and Co. are now being exposed.
The Nuggets head home for Games 3 and 4, and they are surely hoping they can lean on the homecourt advantage to equal the playoffs series. Should they lose one more game, it could spell the end for the title dreamers.
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