Jokic Reflects on Shooting Struggles: “A Little Bit of Everything” Contributing to the Issue

In the high-stakes intensity of the Western Conference semifinals, the Denver Nuggets found themselves in an unexpected battle against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The series, which had previously seen the Nuggets take a 2-1 lead, is now tied at 2-2 after a frustrating 92-87 loss in Game 4. While Denver’s performance overall left much to be desired, it was Nikola Jokic’s shooting struggles that dominated the narrative of the game.

Despite his best efforts, Jokic’s inefficiency on the floor was a significant factor in the Nuggets’ disappointing result. The three-time MVP posted 27 points but only managed to convert 7 of his 22 field-goal attempts. This uncharacteristically poor performance was compounded by missing two critical free throws with 3:15 remaining, as the Nuggets trailed by four. His struggles from the free-throw line, alongside his inability to find his rhythm in key moments, highlighted the difference in what should have been a potential victory for Denver.

Jokic’s Shooting Woes Continue in Game 4

Jokic’s shooting struggles are a far cry from his dominant performance in Game 1 of the series, where he posted a commanding 42-point performance. In the past three games, however, his shooting percentage has been dismal, as he shot just 33.3% from the field, making only 21 of his 63 attempts. This marks a career first for Jokic: shooting under 40% with at least 15 attempts in three consecutive games, spanning both the regular season and the playoffs. According to ESPN Research, this marks a rare and troubling occurrence in Jokic’s otherwise stellar career.

After Game 4, Jokic spoke candidly about the factors contributing to his shooting woes. “It’s a little bit of everything,” Jokic said. “They’re playing really good defense on me. They’re really into my body, physical. I think I missed two or three open looks tonight, so it’s a little bit of everything. They’re shrinking the floor on me. They’re having a guy behind the defender, so it’s a bit of everything. I need to do a better job, of course, but it’s part of the game.”

This self-awareness from Jokic, while commendable, reflects just how tough Oklahoma City’s defense has been on him. The Thunder have clearly made adjustments since Jokic’s initial dominance in Game 1, limiting his space and forcing him to take contested shots. Furthermore, Jokic’s assist numbers have dipped dramatically, as evidenced by his postseason-low of just three assists in Game 4, which also reflects the struggles the team faced offensively in the loss.

Clutch Play from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

While Jokic’s shooting woes were the story for the Nuggets, it was the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who took control in the game’s crucial moments. Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been a standout throughout the series, scored 25 points on 8-of-19 shooting, including three key buckets in the final 4:36 of the game. His clutch play in the final minutes helped seal the Thunder’s victory and even the series at 2-2, with Game 5 set to take place in Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander spoke about the importance of stepping up in the clutch. “I always feel like those are the moments where the guy on the team earns his buck,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “You earn your money [when] you close games, you win games, and that’s what everything’s about. And the later you go into the season — the better the teams, the closer the games — you need to rise to the occasion.”

Indeed, Gilgeous-Alexander’s timely scoring and leadership in the clutch moments reflected the very essence of what it takes to win playoff games. His contributions were particularly vital, as the Thunder were looking to bounce back after losing two close games to the Nuggets earlier in the series.

Fourth-Quarter Collapse and Teamwide Shooting Struggles

Although Jokic’s shooting was the most glaring issue for Denver, he wasn’t alone in his struggles. The Nuggets’ entire offense failed to execute down the stretch in the fourth quarter. Jokic was 2-of-7 from the floor and 1-of-4 from the free-throw line in the final period, a performance that contributed to the Nuggets’ blowing an eight-point lead.

The shooting woes were not limited to Jokic. The combined shooting performance from both teams was historically poor. The Nuggets and Thunder collectively shot just 33.5% from the floor, which was the worst combined field goal percentage in a playoff game since 2004, according to ESPN Research. The game started with a miserable shooting display, as both teams combined for just 25 points in the first quarter, with Denver managing only eight points in the frame, none of which came from Jokic.

Furthermore, the Thunder and Nuggets combined to miss 32 of their first 33 three-point attempts, a statistic that reflected the fatigue and lack of execution from both teams. The Nuggets were especially cold from beyond the arc, missing their first 16 attempts before Russell Westbrook finally hit one from the right wing, bringing some life back to the Ball Arena crowd.

Fatigue Playing a Role in the Loss

The physical toll of an intense series seems to have affected both teams, as the Nuggets were coming off a grueling overtime win in Game 3, which was just a couple of days prior to Game 4. Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman acknowledged the impact of fatigue on both sides. “I think that both teams were very tired coming off an unbelievably physical overtime battle on a late Friday night,” said Adelman. “If it affected us, it surely affected them as well. Both of us had super tired legs.”

It was clear that the tight turnaround between games, combined with the physicality of the series, contributed to the poor shooting and lack of execution in Game 4. With the series now tied, both teams will have to recover quickly and adjust for Game 5.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Jokic and the Nuggets?

For Jokic, the challenge is clear: find a way to regain his shooting touch while continuing to lead his team. The Nuggets need him at his best to have a chance to win the series. While his shot-making ability has been inconsistent, his leadership and playmaking will remain crucial.

With the series now deadlocked at 2-2, both teams will head into Game 5 with everything to play for. The Nuggets will need Jokic to shake off his shooting funk and perform at the high level we’ve come to expect from him. At the same time, they’ll have to address their offensive struggles as a whole and find a way to execute more effectively in the clutch.

For the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander’s confidence and clutch shooting have been game-changers, and they will look to build on that momentum as they take the series back to Oklahoma City. With both teams weary but determined, Game 5 promises to be another intense battle as the Western Conference semifinal continues to unfold.