Nuggets Coach Speaks Out: Nikola Jokic Struggling with Frustration on Playoff Journey

The Denver Nuggets’ Western Conference Semifinal showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder is now a best-of-three — and at the heart of Denver’s recent struggles is their usually reliable superstar, Nikola Jokic. The two-time MVP has been putting up big box score numbers, but his inefficiency and loss of rhythm have proven to be costly, keeping the defending champions from asserting control of the series.

Nikola Jokic’s Shooting Woes Continue in Crucial Game 4

In what felt like a make-or-break moment in the series, Game 4 exposed Jokic’s continued shooting inconsistency. While the Serbian big man produced a stat line of 27 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals, his 7-for-22 shooting from the field (32%) was a glaring problem — one that now defines his past three games.

Since a dominant Game 1 performance where he dropped 42 points on 51.7% shooting, Jokic has spiraled into inefficiency. Over the last three contests, he’s shooting just 21-for-63 (33.3%), including a jarring 0-for-10 from three-point range in Game 3. For a player often lauded for his elite touch and calculated shot selection, this kind of slump is unfamiliar territory.

Jokic didn’t dodge questions about his performance postgame. Instead, he acknowledged the difficulty of navigating the Thunder’s increasingly physical defensive approach:

“I mean, it’s a little bit of everything,” he said. “They’re playing really good defense on me, they’re really — into my body, handsy, physical, and I think I missed like two, three open looks tonight, so it’s a little bit of everything.”

Thunder’s Defensive Game Plan Is Working

Credit must be given to Mark Daigneault’s Thunder for implementing a defensive strategy that’s clearly rattling Jokic. From doubling the post, collapsing on drives, and swarming Denver’s passing lanes, Oklahoma City has turned Jokic’s usually surgical offense into a slog.

When Jokic catches the ball in the post, he’s being met with contact, help-side defenders, and little breathing room. The Thunder are shrinking the floor, positioning defenders in his blind spots, and — most importantly — not letting him get comfortable.

Interim head coach David Adelman was blunt in his postgame comments about Jokic’s performance:

“He’s frustrated. When they get under the block, there’s contact, he knows what to do, but he doesn’t get fouled. He watches tape, but 10-for-25 from the paint is not good…”

That number — 10-for-25 from inside the paint — is especially troubling for Jokic, who’s usually automatic from close range. The Thunder’s tactics have made every touch a battle and every finish a gamble.

Denver’s Offensive Collapse Highlights Deeper Issues

While Jokic’s individual struggles are front and center, Denver’s entire offensive structure has begun to crumble under pressure. In Game 4, the Nuggets shot a paltry 31.3% from the field, including a woeful 10-of-25 in the paint. Even worse, they committed a crucial five-second violation late in the game, which Jokic himself called a pivotal moment:

“That was a big, big play… It’s literally everybody. That cannot happen.”

That kind of mental lapse — especially in a game within reach — underscores how rattled this team has become when their offensive anchor can’t generate clean looks.

Where Are the Nuggets’ Secondary Scorers?

The offensive burden is clearly taking a toll on Jokic, especially without consistent help from his supporting cast. In Game 3, Aaron Gordon (22 points) and Michael Porter Jr. (21 points) stepped up to bail the Nuggets out despite Jokic’s struggles. But in Game 4, Porter Jr. was hampered by a shoulder injury and finished with just 3 points, leaving Denver without a reliable second or third option.

Jamal Murray, the team’s other All-Star-caliber player, has also had an uneven series, failing to provide consistent scoring or playmaking relief when Jokic is swarmed. The result? Jokic is being forced into tough, contested shots — often as the shot clock winds down — rather than making plays within the flow of Denver’s system.

Adelman summarized the frustration in the locker room:

“I thought we got a bit worn down in the fourth… Sometimes we can’t score and it affects us. Nothing was going, it didn’t affect the energy. It wasn’t interesting to watch the first half, and then everything changed in the third quarter… They are in the zone, 15 rebounds on offense, we have to prevent that. We were not good enough to win.”

The Mental and Physical Grind Is Wearing on Jokic

It’s clear the Thunder have executed a game plan that not only attacks Jokic’s offensive tendencies but also wears on him physically. Unlike some stars who rely on pure athleticism, Jokic’s game is predicated on patience, positioning, and mental sharpness. When a team throws his rhythm off — especially across four straight games — the entire Nuggets engine sputters.

Fatigue also appears to be a factor. Jokic logged heavy minutes throughout the regular season and playoffs, and while his production remains high, his body language has shifted. He’s clearly frustrated — and more visibly so than usual.

Whether it’s lingering exhaustion or simply being outmaneuvered by a younger, faster opponent, Jokic doesn’t look like himself. And if the Nuggets are going to survive this series, he’ll need to find a way to rediscover his form quickly.

What Must Change for Game 5?

As the series shifts back to Denver for Game 5, the pressure on Jokic and the Nuggets has never been greater. The following adjustments are likely critical:

• More off-ball action to free Jokic in the post without initial contact

• Quicker ball movement to keep Oklahoma City’s defense from setting up in the paint

• Aggressive cuts from Gordon and Braun to take advantage of Jokic’s passing — even if his shot isn’t falling

• Urgent rebounding to limit OKC’s offensive glass dominance (15 offensive boards in Game 4)

Perhaps most importantly, Jamal Murray and Porter Jr. need to deliver. If Denver continues to rely on Jokic to do everything — initiate offense, create his own shot, rebound, and anchor the defense — the Thunder’s physical defense will continue to wear him down.

Series Outlook: Will Jokic Respond or Fade Under Pressure?

Despite the shooting slump, it would be foolish to count Nikola Jokic out. He’s still one of the smartest and most versatile players in the game, and with the series tied 2–2, the Nuggets still hold home-court advantage.

But the questions are growing louder. Can Jokic adapt to the Thunder’s defensive pressure? Can Denver’s shooters finally hit enough shots to relieve him of constant double-teams? And can Jokic summon the energy and leadership needed to reclaim control of the series?

The next game may answer those questions — and define the Nuggets’ title defense. Because unless Jokic rediscovers his MVP-level rhythm, Denver’s championship dreams may soon stall on the racetrack.