Jokic Shines Against Clippers

In the lead-up to Wednesday’s game, the idea was that Nikola Jokic should, perhaps, take the scoring reins. With his remarkable passing skills, it made sense that his Denver Nuggets teammates could capitalize on his playmaking. Especially since the team was coming off a back-to-back, having just defeated the Sacramento Kings. Typically, Jokic doesn’t have to bear the scoring load alone; maybe the Clippers could catch him on an off night. But that didn’t happen.

In what turned out to be one of the most memorable regular-season performances of his career, Jokic dominated the Clippers, scoring an impressive 55 points alongside 12 rebounds and six assists. He shot an astounding 18-of-23 from the field, nailed 5-of-6 three-pointers, and hit 14-of-16 free throws with just two turnovers. Remarkably, he had already racked up 52 points by the end of the third quarter.

This display was nothing short of a masterclass from a player many consider a generational talent. At just 30 years old, Jokic’s improvement is astonishing; it’s easy to see why some believe he is currently the best player in the league. Lately, he has been on fire, and his numbers over the past six games are downright ridiculous. Before diving deeper, let’s take a moment to appreciate some highlights from his clash with the Clippers.

Last season, I crowned Clippers center Ivica Zubac as the Defensive Player of the Year, but on this night, Jokic rendered him ineffective. Also, backup center Brook Lopez, known for his defensive prowess, found himself utterly helpless against Jokic. Although the Clippers might have the tools to defend against Jokic better than some teams, it just wasn’t their night.

Interestingly, Jokic had just put up a season-high 35 points in a game against the Kings the day before facing the Clippers. In the NBA, playing a road game on the second night of a back-to-back is often seen as a “schedule loss.” It’s tough to perform at your best under such circumstances, which makes Jokic’s ability to deliver an incredible performance all the more impressive. Conditioning used to be a concern for him, but he’s been in peak shape for the last five years and shows no signs of letting up.

Having already won three MVP awards and finishing second twice, one might expect Jokic to take it easier during the regular season in hopes of conserving energy for the playoffs. But that’s not how great players operate. Instead, Jokic has come out strong, elevating his game to what could be considered the highest level yet. And the stats can certainly back that up.

Check out more highlights of Jokic from this recent match.

In the NBA, there’s always something incredible happening each night. Yet, Jokic continues to stand above his peers. The Nuggets are off to a fantastic start, boasting a 9-2 record and sitting in second place in the Western Conference, just behind the Oklahoma City Thunder at 11-1. Last season, these two teams faced off in the playoffs, so another exciting matchup may be on the horizon.

Jokic didn’t even need to improve, but somehow he has. This is what greatness looks like, and we’re witnessing a potential top 10 player of all time in the prime of his career. It’s worth appreciating every moment.