'If we were in Serbia, we would all be fired': Nikola Jokic sounds off on Nuggets after first round exit

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets can’t make any excuses after losing a depleted Minnesota Timberwolves squad in the first round of the postseason. 

With Anthony Edwards (left leg hyperextension) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) suffering significant lower-body injuries during Game 4, the consensus was that the Nuggets had a clear advantage going forward. It didn’t look like it, though, as the Timberwolves defeated Denver 110-98 on Thursday to secure a 4-2 series victory.

After the Nuggets’ season-ending loss, Jokic made an intriguing remark when asked if the franchise should make adjustments to its roster in the offseason.

“That’s not my decision,” Jokic said. “Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all be fired.” 

Jokic’s comments perfectly describe the current state of the Nuggets. Denver was favored to beat the Timberwolves before the series even started, and many believed this was a make-or-break postseason for the 2023 NBA champions. 

Instead of taking care of a Timberwolves squad forced to quickly adjust their game plan mid-series and rely heavily on their bench contributors, the Nuggets elected to fall into a 3-1 hole and never recover. 

Needless to say, that’s unacceptable for an organization that wants to regularly contend for titles in the Jokic era. While the Nuggets’ exact offseason moves are unclear, it isn’t far-fetched to suggest that change is coming in Denver.

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