Nikola Jokic Makes Odd Confession Following Battle With Celtics

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is unique, whether it’s when the three-time league MVP is on the floor or chatting in the locker room postgame.

The 30-year-old took the floor Sunday against the reigning champion Boston Celtics and underwent a head-to-head potential NBA Finals preview battle. Jokic, as usual, showed up and delivered a 20-point, 14-rebound performance — his 47th double-double of the season. But it still wasn’t enough for the Nuggets to overcome the Celtics as Boston made it out with a 110-103 victory at TD Garden.

Jokic, who appeared to have tweaked his ankle after Boston’s Luke Kornet won the game’s opening tip, walked with a slight limp in the first quarter. In response, Jokic offered an oddly blunt and on-brand response when asked about the limp.

“Yeah. I’ve been limping basically the last 14 years,” Jokic told reporters postgame, per team-provided video.

Even though Jokic appeared in (some) pain running up and down the court early into the contest, he still managed to log 39 minutes for the Nuggets. So the injury didn’t faze the seven-time All-Star, nor did Jokic express any sincere concerns for how it might affect him down the line and heading into the playoffs. Denver’s 6-foot-11 generational talent, again in contention for another league MVP award, is the reason the Nuggets are among the most favored teams to make it out of the Western Conference each season.

Denver, two seasons ago, won its first-ever championship off Jokic’s stellar 30.2 points, 14 rebounds and 7.2 assists in the five-game clash with the Miami Heat. Jokic was unanimously voted the MVP of the series.

The Nuggets fell short to the Minnesota Timberwolves in last season’s semifinals and have boomeranged right back into the championship discussion. Sunday’s matchup could be the trailer of what’s to come in the next few months as Boston and Denver aim to represent their respective conferences in pursuit of another Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Jokic, however, understands that won’t come easy, especially if the Nuggets cross paths with the Celtics in June.

Boston star Jayson Tatum, an underappreciated candidate in this season’s MVP race, also rose to the occasion and delivered a performance the Celtics faithful appreciated. Tatum recorded his 28th double-double of the season, scoring 16 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists to get Boston back in the win column, fresh off back-to-back losses.

“I think he’s playing really good,” Jokic said. “They have a really good system there, and he’s really driving with that system. He’s shooting the ball really well, he can do multiple things on the floor, and he led them last year to the championship, so I think he’s a superstar.”

Denver was the only team to go unbeaten against the Celtics last season. This time, Boston took the regular-season series with a brief 2-0 sweep. If Tatum and Jokic do meet face-to-face again before next season, it’ll be a battle for their second ring, locker room champagne shower and duck boat parade to kick off the summer.