Instead, he kept playing at his pace, ignoring voters who will name Gilgeous-Alexander MVP this month and responding to surly fans chanting “free throw merchant” as he sank 10 of 13 from the charity stripe. “To be honest, I didn’t hear that,” said Jokic of the derisive critique previously directed at Gilgeous-Alexander this season. “That’s kind of funny.”
Source: Denver Post
Source: Denver Post
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Watching this back and Gordon does so well to go opposite wing off the box out. Because Holmgren scrambles to protect the paint Caruso has to choose between AG and Jokic and obviously chose Joker. Gordon’s open and the rest is history.
pic.x.com/2oY21o5Wbv – 7:56 AM
Watching this back and Gordon does so well to go opposite wing off the box out. Because Holmgren scrambles to protect the paint Caruso has to choose between AG and Jokic and obviously chose Joker. Gordon’s open and the rest is history.
pic.x.com/2oY21o5Wbv – 7:56 AM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
I get fouling up 3, very much a proponent of it. But it’s situational, it’s not universal. Can’t foul up 3 with 11 seconds left on the clock with Jokic out of the game. That doesn’t track for me. Too much time, too advantageous a situation. – 4:20 AM
I get fouling up 3, very much a proponent of it. But it’s situational, it’s not universal. Can’t foul up 3 with 11 seconds left on the clock with Jokic out of the game. That doesn’t track for me. Too much time, too advantageous a situation. – 4:20 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
👀 OKC crowd chanted “free throw merchant” while Jokic was at the free throw line! pic.x.com/Lfn5Kiecpm – 3:55 AM
👀 OKC crowd chanted “free throw merchant” while Jokic was at the free throw line! pic.x.com/Lfn5Kiecpm – 3:55 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
🇷🇸 Nikola Jokic compares ‘free throw merchant’ chants to playing in small gyms in Serbia
“You can see the guy that is telling you…”
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 3:16 AM
🇷🇸 Nikola Jokic compares ‘free throw merchant’ chants to playing in small gyms in Serbia
“You can see the guy that is telling you…”
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 3:16 AM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Underrated part of the final play: the ball dropped to Braun, and the natural reaction is to get the ball to Jokic or Murray. Instead, he got the ball up the floor to Russ who made a great decision to set up AG.
It’s super cool that the Nuggets are winning in different ways than – 2:54 AM
Underrated part of the final play: the ball dropped to Braun, and the natural reaction is to get the ball to Jokic or Murray. Instead, he got the ball up the floor to Russ who made a great decision to set up AG.
It’s super cool that the Nuggets are winning in different ways than – 2:54 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic posts 42 and 22 in Game 1 win sportando.basketball/denver-nuggets… – 2:53 AM
Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic posts 42 and 22 in Game 1 win sportando.basketball/denver-nuggets… – 2:53 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic posts 42 and 22 in Game 1 win sportando.basketball/en/denver-nugg… – 2:44 AM
Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic posts 42 and 22 in Game 1 win sportando.basketball/en/denver-nugg… – 2:44 AM
Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
Nikola Jokic says he didn’t hear the “Free throw merchant” chants but admits “that’s kind of funny.” – 1:33 AM
Nikola Jokic says he didn’t hear the “Free throw merchant” chants but admits “that’s kind of funny.” – 1:33 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Jokic vs. Shai was an absolute MASTERCLASS, with Jokic and the Nuggets winning the first battle!
OKC – Denver Nuggets 0-1 pic.x.com/c2LAkJw0HA – 1:32 AM
Jokic vs. Shai was an absolute MASTERCLASS, with Jokic and the Nuggets winning the first battle!OKC – Denver Nuggets 0-1 pic.x.com/c2LAkJw0HA – 1:32 AM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
OKC got the foul game horribly wrong constantly giving it immediately. Especially when Gordon caught it in the backcourt and Jokic wasn’t in the game, what the heck was the logic there?? – 12:29 AM
OKC got the foul game horribly wrong constantly giving it immediately. Especially when Gordon caught it in the backcourt and Jokic wasn’t in the game, what the heck was the logic there?? – 12:29 AM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
I absolutely hated fouling up 3 with 11 seconds left in the game.
Especially with Jokic at the scorers table – 12:28 AM
I absolutely hated fouling up 3 with 11 seconds left in the game.
Especially with Jokic at the scorers table – 12:28 AM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
OKC’s mistake was fouling Gordon with Jokic out the game. Should’ve let it play out – 12:28 AM
OKC’s mistake was fouling Gordon with Jokic out the game. Should’ve let it play out – 12:28 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Joker in OKC:
42 PTS (18 in 4Q)
22 REB
6 AST
2 BLK
Only Wilt has more 35/20/5 playoff games. pic.x.com/vjlruWNYYG – 12:26 AM
Joker in OKC:
42 PTS (18 in 4Q)
22 REB
6 AST
2 BLK
Only Wilt has more 35/20/5 playoff games. pic.x.com/vjlruWNYYG – 12:26 AM
Kenny Beecham @KOT4Q
With Jokic off the court and Denver not having a timeout. I probably play it straight up instead of fouling there. – 12:23 AM
With Jokic off the court and Denver not having a timeout. I probably play it straight up instead of fouling there. – 12:23 AM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Aaron Gordon made that second free-throw……
But had he missed, Nikola Jokic had beaten Chet and Hartenstein to inside positioning and would have been there for the rebound – 12:23 AM
Aaron Gordon made that second free-throw……
But had he missed, Nikola Jokic had beaten Chet and Hartenstein to inside positioning and would have been there for the rebound – 12:23 AM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
wow, they couldn’t get Jokic back into the game….why did OKC foul? – 12:21 AM
wow, they couldn’t get Jokic back into the game….why did OKC foul? – 12:21 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Thunder foul on the in bound.
Jokic hits 2 free throws.
Thunder up 117-116.
Thunder ball.
12.9 seconds to go. – 12:20 AM
Thunder foul on the in bound.
Jokic hits 2 free throws.
Thunder up 117-116.
Thunder ball.
12.9 seconds to go. – 12:20 AM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Thunder foul up 3. Jokic at the line to make this a 1 point game. – 12:18 AM
Thunder foul up 3. Jokic at the line to make this a 1 point game. – 12:18 AM
Micah Adams @MAdamsStatGuy
Jokic.
Giannis.
Shaq.
Wilt.
The only players in NBA playoff history with 40-20-5 in a single game. – 12:18 AM
Jokic.
Giannis.
Shaq.
Wilt.
The only players in NBA playoff history with 40-20-5 in a single game. – 12:18 AM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
Jokic is giving these people that work! God Bless America Big Fella!!! – 12:17 AM
Jokic is giving these people that work! God Bless America Big Fella!!! – 12:17 AM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
Yep this OKC/Nuggets is going to be a Physical one!!! Jokic out here throwing elbows but that’s what the Thunder make you do because their going to touch you up every possession – 12:09 AM
Yep this OKC/Nuggets is going to be a Physical one!!! Jokic out here throwing elbows but that’s what the Thunder make you do because their going to touch you up every possession – 12:09 AM
Micah Adams @MAdamsStatGuy
SGA is unbelievable.
Had a historic season.
And the MVP is a regular season award.
Not ‘what did you do in one playoff game’ award.
This game has no bearing.
Obviously.
But I mean… cmon.
Jokic is this entire team. It’s EVERYTHING. – 12:07 AM
SGA is unbelievable.
Had a historic season.
And the MVP is a regular season award.
Not ‘what did you do in one playoff game’ award.
This game has no bearing.
Obviously.
But I mean… cmon.
Jokic is this entire team. It’s EVERYTHING. – 12:07 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Foul on SGA.
Challenge by Daigneault.
Looks like Jokic pulls SGA’s arm.
This *should* be Jokic’s 6th foul. – 12:07 AM
Foul on SGA.
Challenge by Daigneault.
Looks like Jokic pulls SGA’s arm.
This *should* be Jokic’s 6th foul. – 12:07 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Nikola Jokic getting “free throw merchant” chants from the OKC crowd. – 12:04 AM
Nikola Jokic getting “free throw merchant” chants from the OKC crowd. – 12:04 AM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Free throw merchant chants for Nikola Jokic pic.x.com/bvhV8JIC2j – 12:00 AM
Free throw merchant chants for Nikola Jokic pic.x.com/bvhV8JIC2j – 12:00 AM
Micah Adams @MAdamsStatGuy
Most 30-20-5 games in NBA playoff history:
Wilt Chamberlain – 12
Nikola Jokic – 5
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 5 – 11:59 PM
Most 30-20-5 games in NBA playoff history:
Wilt Chamberlain – 12
Nikola Jokic – 5
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 5 – 11:59 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Chet Holmgren just missed a dunk in a 2-on-1 against Jokic. OKC only up 8 with 5:37 should be Denver ball but the zebras are having a meeting. – 11:57 PM
Chet Holmgren just missed a dunk in a 2-on-1 against Jokic. OKC only up 8 with 5:37 should be Denver ball but the zebras are having a meeting. – 11:57 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Nikola Jokic has 29 points, 20 rebounds and 6 assists…
He’s gotten to these numbers tonight pretty effortlessly
This should tell you just how well the LA Clippers defended him – 11:56 PM
Nikola Jokic has 29 points, 20 rebounds and 6 assists…
He’s gotten to these numbers tonight pretty effortlessly
This should tell you just how well the LA Clippers defended him – 11:56 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Great drive by Chet Holmgren on Jokic, got a good angle off the catch and Jokic I feel like could not contest as hard due to foul trouble. – 11:55 PM
Great drive by Chet Holmgren on Jokic, got a good angle off the catch and Jokic I feel like could not contest as hard due to foul trouble. – 11:55 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Nikola Jokic elbows Lu Dort in the head.
Being reviewed for a flagrant foul.
This will be Jokic’s 5th foul. – 11:49 PM
Nikola Jokic elbows Lu Dort in the head.
Being reviewed for a flagrant foul.
This will be Jokic’s 5th foul. – 11:49 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Lu Dort was elbowed in the back of the head by Jokic. Jokic went over to check on him. The refs have to review this by rule and are. – 11:49 PM
Lu Dort was elbowed in the back of the head by Jokic. Jokic went over to check on him. The refs have to review this by rule and are. – 11:49 PM
Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Jokic can’t shoot because his elbows are busted and he’s still got 24 points & 20 rebounds through THREE QUARTERS. That’s my MVP – And of course OKC is still winning because they’re an incredible team. Nuggets have to lock this down in the next few minutes to have a decent shot. – 11:36 PM
Jokic can’t shoot because his elbows are busted and he’s still got 24 points & 20 rebounds through THREE QUARTERS. That’s my MVP – And of course OKC is still winning because they’re an incredible team. Nuggets have to lock this down in the next few minutes to have a decent shot. – 11:36 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
The Nuggets are within 5, but have to survive the non-Jokic minutes and that will tell us if we really have a game or not – 11:33 PM
The Nuggets are within 5, but have to survive the non-Jokic minutes and that will tell us if we really have a game or not – 11:33 PM
Ramona Shelburne @ramonashelburne
Jokic has 24 points and 20 rebounds as we head into the fourth quarter here in Game 1 👀 – 11:32 PM
Jokic has 24 points and 20 rebounds as we head into the fourth quarter here in Game 1 👀 – 11:32 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
It’s really hard for Jokic to defend with this OKC lineup on the floor….The issue is that the Thunder non-shooters are actually pretty good shooters – 11:26 PM
It’s really hard for Jokic to defend with this OKC lineup on the floor….The issue is that the Thunder non-shooters are actually pretty good shooters – 11:26 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Some NBA player is going to be smart and patent the twirly sign on T-shirts.
Might be a race between Luka and Jokic – 11:18 PM
Some NBA player is going to be smart and patent the twirly sign on T-shirts.
Might be a race between Luka and Jokic – 11:18 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Nikola Jokic picks up his 4th foul.
Joker very much disagrees. M
Denver challenge.
Jumbotron shows the replay.
Loud City very much disagrees with Jokic.
Unsuccessful challenge.
Loud City erupts. – 11:18 PM
Nikola Jokic picks up his 4th foul.
Joker very much disagrees. M
Denver challenge.
Jumbotron shows the replay.
Loud City very much disagrees with Jokic.
Unsuccessful challenge.
Loud City erupts. – 11:18 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Nikola Jokic has 4 fouls at the 6:23 mark of the third. The call stands. Nuggets lose their challenge. – 11:17 PM
Nikola Jokic has 4 fouls at the 6:23 mark of the third. The call stands. Nuggets lose their challenge. – 11:17 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Nikola Jokic and Hartenstein get tangled and Jokic picks up his fourth foul….Jokic is steamed…David Adelman challenges…play is under review – 11:17 PM
Nikola Jokic and Hartenstein get tangled and Jokic picks up his fourth foul….Jokic is steamed…David Adelman challenges…play is under review – 11:17 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
DA was on the floor to challenge the call before the whistle finished blowing. He and Jokic are adamant this will be overturned. – 11:16 PM
DA was on the floor to challenge the call before the whistle finished blowing. He and Jokic are adamant this will be overturned. – 11:16 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
The positive so far tonight is the Thunder don’t really have an answer for Jokic in this series, where the Clippers had several relative answers….But the negative is that Jamal Murray is gonna be in the depths of hell in this series – 11:15 PM
The positive so far tonight is the Thunder don’t really have an answer for Jokic in this series, where the Clippers had several relative answers….But the negative is that Jamal Murray is gonna be in the depths of hell in this series – 11:15 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Alex Caruso in 12 minutes
10 PTS
4 AST
5 STL
1 BLK
+20
X factor
Edit: and he blocked Jokic right after I tweeted this. – 11:08 PM
Alex Caruso in 12 minutes
10 PTS
4 AST
5 STL
1 BLK
+20
X factor
Edit: and he blocked Jokic right after I tweeted this. – 11:08 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
My God. Alex Caruso blocks Jokic from behind. He has been everywhere tonight. – 11:07 PM
My God. Alex Caruso blocks Jokic from behind. He has been everywhere tonight. – 11:07 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Jokic with two insane passing turnovers. Murray with an insane passing turnover.
Tired brain after a long series. – 11:03 PM
Jokic with two insane passing turnovers. Murray with an insane passing turnover.
Tired brain after a long series. – 11:03 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
The unique thing about Nikola Jokic is how much of a pressure release he is. His guards have been in absolute hell against OKC’s ball pressure. He gets back into the game, the Nuggets enter it into the post, and suddenly, they can run a clean offense again – 10:30 PM
The unique thing about Nikola Jokic is how much of a pressure release he is. His guards have been in absolute hell against OKC’s ball pressure. He gets back into the game, the Nuggets enter it into the post, and suddenly, they can run a clean offense again – 10:30 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns to the game up 10. OKC was only up 1 when he left. Massive difference from the Non-Jokic minutes. – 10:26 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns to the game up 10. OKC was only up 1 when he left. Massive difference from the Non-Jokic minutes. – 10:26 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Aaron Wiggins hits a pair of FTs to put OKC up 3. Thunder have to build a lead in the Non-Jokic minutes, however long they last. – 10:15 PM
Aaron Wiggins hits a pair of FTs to put OKC up 3. Thunder have to build a lead in the Non-Jokic minutes, however long they last. – 10:15 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
I suspected as much, but Nikola Jokic is so far having a much much easier time getting to his spots than he did against the LA Clippers…… – 9:54 PM
I suspected as much, but Nikola Jokic is so far having a much much easier time getting to his spots than he did against the LA Clippers…… – 9:54 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
A Jokic put back has OKC calling the first timeout of the game down 3. 15-12, Denver leads. – 9:52 PM
A Jokic put back has OKC calling the first timeout of the game down 3. 15-12, Denver leads. – 9:52 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Chet Holmgren absolutely snuffed out a Jokic to MPJ lob slam by blocking the shot mid oop. – 9:51 PM
Chet Holmgren absolutely snuffed out a Jokic to MPJ lob slam by blocking the shot mid oop. – 9:51 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
My goodness. Chet Holmgren goes end-to-end to reject a Jokic lob to MPJ. – 9:51 PM
My goodness. Chet Holmgren goes end-to-end to reject a Jokic lob to MPJ. – 9:51 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Isaiah Hartenstein has his first foul at the 8 minute mark, came over to double Jokic and got a foul going for the steal. – 9:49 PM
Isaiah Hartenstein has his first foul at the 8 minute mark, came over to double Jokic and got a foul going for the steal. – 9:49 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Nikola Jokic gets the scoring started with a tough bucket in the lane. Jalen Williams responded with a baseline middy. – 9:45 PM
Nikola Jokic gets the scoring started with a tough bucket in the lane. Jalen Williams responded with a baseline middy. – 9:45 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
As the SGA and the Thunder get set to start their second-round series against the Nuggets, their championship hopes get tested by Jokic, Murray and the battle hardened Nuggets: sportsnet.ca/nba/article/th… – 8:30 PM
As the SGA and the Thunder get set to start their second-round series against the Nuggets, their championship hopes get tested by Jokic, Murray and the battle hardened Nuggets: sportsnet.ca/nba/article/th… – 8:30 PM
Ramona Shelburne @ramonashelburne
SGA, Nikola Jokic and why this series should be an epic—polite—clash of the two leading MVP candidates espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 1:55 PM
SGA, Nikola Jokic and why this series should be an epic—polite—clash of the two leading MVP candidates espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 1:55 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Jokic vs OKC this season:
24.5 PPG
15.8 RPG
11.5 APG
1.5 SPG
1.8 BPG
Led all players in points, rebounds, assists and stocks vs the Thunder. pic.x.com/YMFIVjjur7 – 1:17 PM
Jokic vs OKC this season:
24.5 PPG
15.8 RPG
11.5 APG
1.5 SPG
1.8 BPG
Led all players in points, rebounds, assists and stocks vs the Thunder. pic.x.com/YMFIVjjur7 – 1:17 PM
More on this storyline
He scored 11 of the Nuggets’ final 17 points, besting Gilgeous-Alexander 18-13 in the fourth quarter. Jokic exerted his will. Yet he never lost his way as he lost his mind over questionable calls. Boos cascaded down as he complained, accompanied by interim coach David Adelman’s symphony of seething at the refs. Jokic’s face reddened, but his pulse did not race. “I played in Serbia in small gyms with 30 people, and you could hear everything they said. Sometimes I think that’s worse because you can see the guy who’s yelling at you,” Jokic said. “And I have played in front of a lot of people with the national team in other countries. I don’t want to say I don’t get distracted. …” -via Denver Post / May 6, 2025
Jorge Sierra: Nikola Jokic is the best player of the playoffs. Shai at No. 6. -via Twitter @hoopshype / May 6, 2025
StatMuse: Joker in OKC: 42 PTS (18 in 4Q) 22 REB 6 AST 2 BLK Only Wilt has more 35/20/5 playoff games. -via x.com / May 6, 2025
