Nikola Jokic Sends Strong Message to Teammates Following Game 1 Victory
The Denver Nuggets mounted an impressive comeback to edge out the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110 in overtime during Game 1 of their first-round playoff series at Ball Arena on Saturday. Despite trailing by as much as 15 points, the Nuggets held firm and secured a pivotal win.
Although Nikola Jokic wasn’t at his absolute best, he still delivered a stellar performance with 29 points, nine rebounds, 12 assists, three steals, and a block. He received significant support from Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray, who contributed 25 and 21 points, respectively.
However, Michael Porter Jr. had a notably quiet outing, registering just three points and four rebounds. His lack of impact was evident, and his body language at times suggested he wasn’t fully engaged. When asked postgame if he planned to speak with Porter about his performance, Jokic didn’t mince words.
“If you’re not going to be engaged right now, I don’t think you should be playing this sport,” the three-time MVP stated during his press conference. For Jokic, playoff basketball demands full commitment, and anything less is unacceptable.
Porter saw limited action, logging only 26 minutes, and was benched during overtime as interim head coach David Adelman chose to go with Russell Westbrook instead—someone known for his relentless energy and effort. Adelman later explained that Porter needs to be active defensively and hit his shots to remain on the floor, something he failed to do in Game 1. All eyes will be on Porter to see how he responds when Game 2 tips off Monday at 10 p.m. ET at Ball Arena.
