The Nuggets experienced an unexpected collapse, wasting a historic performance by Nikola Jokić in a 122-113 loss to the Wizards, who had been on a 16-game losing streak prior to this victory.
Despite Jokić’s incredible effort—scoring 56 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, dishing out eight assists, and shooting 60% from beyond the arc—his teammates failed to step up. Only three of Jokić’s teammates managed to score in double digits, while the rest of the team combined for just 24-56 shooting and committed ten turnovers.
After the game, Jokić was asked what he hoped to see from the Nuggets in their upcoming games.
“A reaction,” Jokić said. “In my country, after a performance like this, you’d get a paycheck that’s a little smaller than what you deserve. Maybe that’s the motivation we need.” (via Bennett Durando)
The Serbian star also suggested a more direct form of motivation: “What’s it called? Being benched? I think that could be really good motivation, too.”
To be fair, the Nuggets were missing key players—Jamal Murray (hamstring) and Aaron Gordon (calf)—which limited their offensive options.
Currently sitting at the 9th seed in the West with an 11-10 record and a .524 win percentage, the defending champions are far from their usual dominance, where they were frequently in the top three in the West in recent seasons.
“I’m doing a really poor job with this team,” head coach Michael Malone admitted. “For us to be 11-10 at this point, and losing to a team that’s been averaging 100 points a game and then putting up 122 on us, I’m embarrassed by that.”
Malone took responsibility for the team’s struggles, saying, “We have film sessions where we hold guys accountable, we address the issues, and they keep happening. That’s where I take the blame for being 11-10. I’ve done a poor job as a coach preparing this team to win and execute. I have no problem owning that.”
