Watch: Nikola Jokic Masterclass against LA Clippers

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3 years ago

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball against Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Dec 26, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Nikola Jokic has been the catalyst for the Nuggets this season and he put on a Masterclass performance again in the game against the Clippers. Let us watch his performance in the game.

Nikola Jokic is the main reason that Denver Nuggets is on the playoff contender list this season. Jamal Murray is sidelined due to injury and yet to play a single minute for the Nuggets this year. Also, the Nuggets’ other important contributors were struggling for the large period in the 75th NBA Season.

But Raining KIA MVP kept the team in the hunt for the playoffs with yet another heroic plays. He leads the team in nearly every department, averaging 25.9 points, 13.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game this season.

Denver lost consecutive games before entering today’s fixture and has an upcoming match against red hot Golden State Warriors. The Nuggets needed the win badly to keep their possession in the Western conference intact.

The Clippers were without their star performer Paul George, so the Nuggets were expecting an easy match. But Clippers performed exceedingly well and all Clippers’ players managed to get baskets for the team.

Denver Nuggets were struggling offensively allowing the Clippers to take lead at the end of 3rd quarter. Nikola Jokic stepped up again and proved to be the difference-maker in the game. He again took control of the game and scored 9 points along with 7 rebounds and 2 steals in the 4th quarter only.

The Nuggets were forced to field their starting lineup again in the 4th quarter to get the win. Jokic was the top performer of the game with 26 points, 22 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals as the Nuggets close the game with a narrow 103-100 victory. With this performance, Jokic became the 1st player since Charles Barkley (1988) to score 25+ points, 20+rebounds, and 5+ assists in consecutive matches.

Nikola Jokic this season

Jokic has been a consistent performer in the Nuggets team. He took on the extra burden of play-making in absence of Jamal Murray this season and performed exceptionally well.

In the current NBA KIA MVP power ranking, he is 3rd in the list behind Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. Considering the performances across the NBA and the team support, his contribution is possibly more vital than his competitors for the MVP title.