Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic is optimistic about the Denver Nuggets chances of overturning their current 2-0 deficit in the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The defending champions fell at home 106-80 to the Timberwolves, who had the best defence league-wide in the regular season, but Jokic is hopeful they can dig deep and achieve their goal of progressing to the Conference Final.
“I mean hopefully,” he said. “I mean yes that’s the goal so hopefully we are going to go there and put up a fight and bring the series back.”
Double-double 🃏
🔗 https://t.co/srirhs9KLw pic.twitter.com/gzS6varK2x
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 7, 2024
Like Jokic, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, who was critical of the team’s performance at Ball Arena on Monday night, urged the home fans to continue to believe in the team amid the resounding boos heard in their arena in Denver.
“Tonight, they ran us off the floor,” said Malone. “And so I just ask our fans to stay with us. I know tonight was not a pretty sight. I know there were some boos out there, and I understand that because we didn’t play anywhere close to the level that we’ve come to expect from this team. But stay with us. Believe in us. We’ve done a lot of good things.”
Final #MileHighPlayoffs | #Road2Gold pic.twitter.com/mdtLWDcy6g
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 7, 2024
Jokic finished with 16 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists; Aaron Gordon led Denver with a team-high 20 points; and Justin Holiday came off the bench with 13 points.
The Serbian center and the Nuggets will head to Target Center in Minnesota for Game 3 of their series in a must-win tie against the high-flying Timberwolves on Friday night.
