Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

WATCH: ‘Frustrated’ Nikola Jokic Addresses His Teammates in a Timeout Huddle During Nuggets’ Blowout Loss to Clippers

Jokic and Murray combined shot 17-for-29 from the floor, but the rest of the Nuggets shot 14-for-48.

Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic’s frustration was visible during the Clippers’ clinical victory against the Denver Nuggets at Intuit Dome. Jokic and Co. suffered a 117-83 loss in Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series. Los Angeles exposed Denver, which is relying on Jokic and Murray.

Nikola Jokic dropped his 18th triple-double of the season, but his lone effort couldn’t save the Nuggets, who were trailing by 18 points at halftime. They don’t have enough shooting on the roster around Jokic and Murray. It let them down in the game. It was an embarrassing game for Denver as they were outplayed in all aspects of the game.

Jokic was heated on bench during Nuggets 34-point loss 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/XXG3P79bzA
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) April 25, 2025

Also Read: ‘Killer Mentality, Protect Home Court’ – Clippers’ James Harden Makes Intentions Clear After Leading Nuggets 2–1

Clippers Exposes Denver’s Reliability Around Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray

Jokic was seen emotional while talking to his Nuggets squad in a timeout huddle. He was showing frustration with his teammate’s struggle in shooting. Clippers targeted Jokic, and the Nuggets targeted Leonard in the initial part of the game. Denver started the game in a 2-3 zone, but the Clippers attacked the Nuggets’ rotations.

Nikola Jokic finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists in the game. He broke the playoff league record in assists, surpassing Tyrese Haliburton’s 12 assists three days back. Murray also supported him with 23 points but their bench strength couldn’t deliver.

The Nuggets sparked a 10-2 run in the late third quarter to cut the deficit to 17 points. Jokic scored or assisted on eight of those points. It felt like Jokic vs the Clippers on Thursday night. Jokic and Murray combined shot 17-for-29 from the floor, but the rest of the Nuggets shot 14-for-48. Denver went 7-for-26 from beyond the arc and the Clippers availed all the chances.

Also Read: ‘Everybody’s voice holds the same amount of weight’ – Chet Holmgren puts team mentality first after historic Thunder comeback in Game 3

After the game, Jokic shared what he said in the locker room. The Serbian star wants every player to step up in the game.

What was Nikola Jokić's message to the locker room?

“I didn’t say nothing. I think everybody needs to step up. They were better than us today in every aspect of the game.”
— Brendan Vogt (@BrendanVogt) April 25, 2025

“I didn’t say nothing,” Jokic said. “I think everybody needs to step up. They were better than us today in every aspect of the game.”

“I mean, they are a good defense,” Jokic added. “They are a good team. They are taking away what we are good at and they have quality players. They have great main players, role players. They are a great team so they are taking away what we are good at. We need to find a way to get to those moves that we are good at.”

The Denver Nuggets have to come hard in Game 4. The Clippers did everything to counter Jokic as they gave their fans in “The Wall” at Intuit Dome horse head hats made of fabric to wear when the Nuggets superstar takes free throws. Both teams will go head-to-head in Game 4 on Saturday and a 3-1 lead could be decisive for the Clippers.

Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Denver Nuggets

Jamal Murray

Los Angeles Clippers

Nikola Jokic

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.