In a recent NBA game, Nikola Jokic’s performance at the free-throw line became a contentious point for Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Jokic, despite an off-shooting day, went 18-18 on free throws, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 120-114 victory over the Warriors, extending their winning streak to five games.
Jokic ended the game with 26 points, compensating for his 4-12 field goal performance with his free-throw success. Kerr expressed his frustration with the current state of NBA officiating, believing it undermines defense. He criticized the trend of players manipulating the game to draw fouls and get to the line, a tactic he finds unappealing as a spectator.
“I have no problem with the officials themselves,” Kerr said. “I have a problem with the way we are legislating defense out of the game. That’s what we’re doing. The way we’re teaching officials, we’re just enabling to players to (fool) their way to the foul line. If I were a fan, I wouldn’t have wanted to watch the second half of that game. It was disgusting.
“It was just baiting refs into calls. But the refs must make those calls because that’s how they’re taught.”
The Nuggets, who went 26-32 from the line overall, saw Jokic use aggression to compensate for his lack of scoring from the field. Golden State’s Kevon Looney and rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis struggled to contain Jokic, who usually excels with his close-range shooting.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors Updates
Jamal Murray, who scored a game-high 28 points for Denver, acknowledged Jokic’s frequent fouling due to the physical nature of his play. Kerr lamented the game’s evolution, where players’ increasing cunning has led to a surge in free-throw attempts.
“He gets fouled a lot. He gets beat up down there,” Murray said. “It’s hard to call every foul, I understand. They can only do so much.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors Updates
Stephen Curry of the Warriors also commented on the game’s physicality and the inconsistency of foul calls. He pointed out the influence of frequent free throws on the game’s flow and momentum, particularly noting Jokic’s impact in this regard.
“When there’s physicality, it’s tough because it’s inconsistent at times on either side,” Cury said. “A night like tonight, you feel like there’s physicality on one side and then kind of ticky-tack on the other and then they get into the bonus, and it changes the (complexion) of the game. It’s not like we don’t foul. I’m not saying that.
“It was tough tonight, slowed the whole game down. (Jokic) made every free throw and changed the momentum, played into their hands.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors Updates
Jokic finished the game with 14 rebounds and eight assists, reminding fans of his performance last Christmas with 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists against Phoenix. Denver’s starters scored in double figures, with Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon recording double-doubles.
The game was tightly contested with numerous lead changes, but Denver ultimately secured the lead with a Jokic hook shot in the final minutes. Nuggets coach Michael Malone praised his team’s ability to make crucial plays in a close game.
“We closed the fourth, and we had a lot of guys step up and make timely plays down the stretch of a close game,” Malone said. “Winning makes a world of difference.”
Looking ahead, the Warriors will start a seven-game homestand against the Miami Heat, while the Nuggets are set to host the Memphis Grizzlies.
