By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Denver Nuggets are preparing for the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, as they aim to reclaim their championship form following a record-breaking 2025-26 Regular Season for their star center. Nikola Jokic, who became the first player in NBA history to lead the league in both rebounds and assists per game.
The Joker addressed the media during team practice on Wednesday, previewing a best-of-seven series opposite the Minnesota Timberwolves. “The key is likely for us to set the tone and be the aggressors,” he mentioned.
The 31-year-old Serbian looked back on what has become a burgeoning rivalry. “I don’t know. I just think every game is a really good game. Last year was a good series, and the year before was a good series as well, so we’ll see. Hopefully, this one will be, too,” he added.
This matchup serves as a rematch of the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals, which the Wolves won in seven games. In 2023, the Nuggets prevailed in five games during the opening round en route to the only NBA championship in franchise history. Despite the history, Jokic downplayed the conflict with French starting center Rudy Gobert.
“I think we are going to guard him, but everyone is going to guard everyone, and they are going to guard us. It isn’t going to be a matchup between just one person and another. It’s going to be collective because there will be so many different defensive coverages from both sides,” the Joker explained.
He noted the familiarity between the two rosters, adding, “We have played against them about 40 times in the last three years, so it’s fine.”
In addition to international matchups between Serbia and France, Jokic and Gobert have faced each other 50 times in the NBA. While the French big leads the head-to-head series 27–23, Jokic holds an 11–7 advantage in the Playoffs.
The Sombor native expressed readiness for the upcoming postseason challenge, noting the significance of the shift in intensity. “The Playoffs are what you work for the whole season. This is the final touch. It’s exciting,” he said.
However, he admitted he isn’t a fan of the extended layoff before Saturday’s opener at Ball Arena. “To be honest, I don’t like it. I just want to play because we have never had six days off like this. I don’t think it’s going to help. It might help the guys who are injured get back to being healthy, but if you ask me, I would like to play right away.”
In the regular-season portion of his 11th season in Denver, Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game, logging 65 appearances.