As the Oklahoma City Thunder square off against Denver Nuggets in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, one name will be circled on all the drawing boards: Nikola Jokic. The three-time MVP added more to his legend with another monster season, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists.
And that’s not even getting into what he’s done against the Thunder. No player in the league has played better than Jokic against the league’s top unit. He averaged 24.5 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 11.5 assists in his matchups with Oklahoma City, playing up to his season averages. Denver split the season series, and look to replicate their in-season success to return to the Western Finals.
Jokic will square off against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the battle between the MVP frontrunners. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said the familiarity between with their competition gives them the opportunity to beat them from experience.
“Great team, great players, great competitors,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said about Denver. “They’re a team we have a lot of respect for. We’re obviously very familiar with them from the last few years. They’ve had a lot of continuity, we’ve had a lot of continuity. Great familiarity, it’s gonna be a great series. Looking forward to competing.”
Oklahoma City kicks off against the Nuggets tonight at 9:30pm EST.
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