Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic addressed his Denver Nuggets teammates in the locker room after the team lost Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals to the Miami Heat, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
Nuggets veteran center DeAndre Jordan said everyone was surprised when Jokic spoke up.
“It caught us all by surprise. It was unexpected,” Jordan told Haynes. “When Nikola says something, everybody’s awareness is heightened. I always compare him to a guy like Tim Duncan. He’s never really super boisterous, but when he does speak, it speaks volumes. Me, Jeff Green, DJ, Ish [Smith], KCP, we’ll always give our two cents on things we see during the game, but Nikola saying something elevated the message. I’ve been on him more about being more vocal, and even in tonight’s game, he was extremely vocal, and it was good for our team.”
Whatever Jokic said to his teammates after Game 2 worked, as the Nuggets won Game 3 in Miami to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
NBA NEWS & FINALS COVERAGE: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets & Miami Heat Updates
Denver reclaimed home-court advantage by winning Game 3 in South Beach.
“Honestly, I don’t remember that I was talking. So if I was saying something, I don’t remember what I was saying,” Jokic told Haynes. “Maybe it was just my emotions at the time. I don’t remember, to be honest. Maybe they’re just all crazy. But I think I’m normal. When I say something, it’s not that I’m trying to be vocal. There’s a purpose. When I see something, I’m going to say it. I’m never going to talk just to talk.”
Jokic and Jamal Murray both had triple-doubles in Game 3. They are the first pair of teammates to accomplish that feat in a Finals game.
NBA NEWS & FINALS COVERAGE: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets & Miami Heat Updates
Jokic finished with 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Murray had 34 points, 10 boards, and 10 assists. The Nuggets are now two wins away from winning their first title in franchise history.
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