Charles Barkley Sparks Debate: Did the Denver Nuggets’ Short Rotation Really Exhaust Nikola Jokic in the 2025 Season?

Nikola Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP and cornerstone of the Denver Nuggets, is hitting a rough patch when his team needs him the most. The Serbian center, affectionately known as “The Joker”, has seen his offensive efficiency drop drastically in recent games, and NBA legend Charles Barkley believes he knows why: fatigue. Barkley’s blunt assessment of Jokic’s workload and Denver’s depth issues has ignited a conversation about whether the Nuggets are mismanaging their superstar.

As the Nuggets find themselves locked in a tight Western Conference Semifinals series with the surging Oklahoma City Thunder, all eyes are on Jokic’s ability to carry his team. But his recent dip in performance has raised red flags—and not just among fans.

Jokic’s Shooting Woes Continue in Game 4

Game 4 of the Nuggets-Thunder series ended in a disappointing 87-92 loss for Denver, bringing the series to a tense 2-2 tie. Despite Jokic finishing with 27 points and 13 rebounds, the numbers don’t tell the whole story. His shooting performance was abysmal: just 7-of-22 from the field and 2-of-8 from beyond the arc. These are uncharacteristic numbers for a player known for his finesse, control, and efficiency.

This wasn’t a one-off either. Over his last three playoff games, Jokic is shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor and 18.2 percent from three-point range—a shocking slump for a player of his caliber.

Charles Barkley Calls It: “He’s Wearing Down”

NBA Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley didn’t mince words when asked about Jokic’s recent performances. Barkley believes the Serbian center is being overused and may be physically and mentally drained due to Denver’s lack of roster depth, particularly at the center position.

“Denver has not addressed their backup center situation or their bench,” Barkley stated. “That’s one of the things that hurt them last year. Cuz he gave out of gas last year against Rudy and Big Kat. So I don’t think it’s fair to blame everything on the Joker, but he is not playing well, and I think he’s wearing down.”

Barkley’s comments reference last year’s postseason, where Jokic appeared to run out of gas in the final two games of the second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, shooting a combined 22-of-47 in Games 6 and 7. Denver was eliminated after leading the series 3-2.

A Pattern of Fatigue: The Heavy Price of Carrying a Franchise

The trend is worrying. In the 2024-25 regular season, Jokic averaged a career-high 36.7 minutes per game—already a heavy burden for a center. But in the postseason, that number has jumped even higher to 39.8 minutes per game, making Jokic one of the most overworked stars in the playoffs.

Jokic is being asked to do it all: initiate offense, score, rebound, anchor the defense, and playmake, often without meaningful help from the bench. Denver’s failure to invest in a viable backup for Jokic has not only compromised his stamina but is now potentially jeopardizing their playoff run.

Even elite athletes have limits. And for Jokic, the cumulative mileage of back-to-back MVP-caliber seasons and deep playoff runs may be catching up.

Worst Player on the Court in Game 3?

While it might sound harsh, Jokic was arguably the least effective player on the court in Game 3, when Denver suffered another brutal loss. His inability to impose his usual dominance not only slowed Denver’s offensive rhythm but also made the Nuggets look vulnerable defensively.

What’s more concerning is that his body language has shifted—a sign many players and coaches look for when assessing fatigue. The normally calm, chess-like play of Jokic has given way to frustration, missed layups, and forced three-pointers. These are signs of a player mentally taxed and physically exhausted.

The Bench Problem: A Weak Link in the Chain

The Nuggets have a major flaw: a shallow bench. This issue has haunted them since last season, and it’s once again rearing its head in 2025. Without proper rotation support, the starters—especially Jokic—are logging unsustainable minutes.

Backup center minutes have been virtually nonexistent. Denver has yet to find a player who can absorb even 10–15 minutes of rest time for Jokic, forcing head coach Michael Malone to keep his star on the floor even during fatigue spikes.

Analysts like Barkley argue that this type of mismanagement is short-sighted, especially in a league where postseason success is often dictated by roster depth and player freshness.

The Thunder’s Youth and Speed Creating a Problem

Oklahoma City has become one of the surprise packages of this year’s playoffs. Their young, fast, and energetic lineup has been a nightmare matchup for Denver’s older, slower starters. Thunder stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren are outpacing the Nuggets in transition, putting additional pressure on Jokic to hustle back on defense—another energy-draining responsibility.

In a footrace, the Nuggets simply cannot keep up. And in a half-court game, if Jokic isn’t producing at a high level, Denver has no answer.

Can Denver Rebound or Is History Repeating Itself?

There’s a growing sense of déjà vu surrounding this Nuggets team. Last season, after building a 3-2 lead against Minnesota, they folded in the final two games as Jokic’s efficiency nosedived. The fear now is that the same script is unfolding against a different opponent.

If Denver doesn’t adjust—either by shortening Jokic’s minutes or demanding more from their bench players—they risk another early exit, wasting yet another MVP-level campaign from their franchise player.

What Can Be Done Before It’s Too Late?

There are no easy answers this deep into the postseason, but Coach Michael Malone must make some hard decisions:

• Limit Jokic’s minutes, even slightly, to preserve him for critical fourth quarters.

• Trust bench players, even if they’re unproven, to take on some of the load.

• Shift offensive strategies to reduce the burden on Jokic by involving Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. more frequently as primary scorers.

Without strategic changes, Denver’s championship hopes could evaporate—again.

Final Thoughts: The Joker Needs Help Now

Nikola Jokic is one of the most uniquely gifted players in NBA history, but even a generational talent like him can only do so much alone. As Charles Barkley astutely pointed out, Jokic is being overworked, and it’s beginning to show in the worst possible way—during a playoff battle that may define his legacy.

Unless the Nuggets course-correct immediately, Jokic’s fatigue could become the story of another wasted playoff run. Denver still has time to turn things around, but if they fail to support their star, the consequences may echo into next season and beyond.