Nikola Jokic: “We just lost in the first round. I think we are far away.”
Changes needed?
“That’s not my decision. Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all be fired.”
Getty
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is a three-time NBA MVP.
On Thursday night at the Target Center in Minneapolis, the Denver Nuggets’ season ended following their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 of their first-round series.
The Nuggets failed to capitalize on the absence of Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo. Nikola Jokic nearly had a triple-double, finishing with 28 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.
Jamal Murray had a rough shooting night to cap off his abysmal series, scoring just 12 points on 17 shots.
Jaden McDaniels led the way for the Timberwolves, dropping a double-double of 32 points and 10 rebounds in their 110-98 win.
GettyNikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Speaking to reporters in his postgame media availability, the three-time NBA MVP was asked about his thoughts on their early playoff exit and the status of the Nuggets as championship contenders moving forward.
Jokic had a blunt answer, via ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
“We just lost in the first round. I think we are far away,” Jokic said.
The Joker also jokingly answered a question about possible changes to the Nuggets this offseason.
“That’s not my decision,” Jokic said. “Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all be fired.”
Nikola Jokic: “We just lost in the first round. I think we are far away.”
Changes needed?
“That’s not my decision. Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all be fired.”
The Nuggets have had some disappointing playoff exits since winning the championship in 2023.
They were dethroned by the Timberwolves in the 2024 Western Conference semifinals, losing Game 7 at home. The Oklahoma City Thunder sent them packing following a blowout Game 7 loss in last year’s Western Conference semifinals.
And now, they suffered their first first-round exit since getting dispatched by the Golden State Warriors in five games back in 2022.
GettyHead coach David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Ball Arena on January 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.
Plenty of Nuggets fans were quick to call for coach David Adelman’s firing after a disappointing first-round series against the Timberwolves.
However, Jokic was quick to defend his coach and put the blame on himself and the rest of the team.
“It was nothing (to do with him),” Jokic said, via Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “It’s not his fault that we could not rebound. It’s not his fault that we could not catch the ball very well. So there is nothing to blame to David Adelman. It was all us.”
Jamal Murray also shared the same sentiment, praising Adelman for what could be called a successful first full season in charge of the Nuggets.
“He is amazing,” Murray said. “He is still getting his feet wet with all the adjustments and injuries, and managing emotions and all that stuff. It’s a hard job. You have a lot of different personalities you have to think about, and game-time decisions. Possession by possession. It was a great season for all that we went through. I just wish I could’ve done better for my team tonight.”
Adelman finished his first full year as Nuggets coach with a record of 54-28. They entered the postseason on a 12-game win streak and as the third seed.
Nevertheless, it’s going to be an interesting summer for the Nuggets after a shocking early playoff exit.
Juan Paolo David Juan Paolo David is a sports journalist covering basketball for Heavy. He has a decade of experience writing about the NBA and WWE. He's currently based in the Philippines. More about Juan Paolo David
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