Nikola Jokic issued a blunt response to setting two records in the NBA Finals.
The Denver Nuggets restored their series lead and regained home-court advantage after recording a 109-94 victory over the Miami Heat in game three of the Finals. The Serbian is putting together one of the greatest postseason runs in history and he silenced the home fans at the FTX Arena with a 32-point, 21-rebound, and 10-assist performance.
As a result, the 28-year-old became the first player in NBA history to have a 30-20-10 game in the Finals. When it was brought to his attention after the game’s conclusion, Jokic issued a very straightforward response.
“I mean to be honest, not much…I’m just glad we won the game,” he said, when asked what the record meant to him.
The other record he set was a joint one alongside teammate Jamal Murray. The point guard scored 34 points and recorded 10 assists and rebounds each, which means the duo became the first teammates in NBA history to each record a 30-point triple-double in an NBA Finals game.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone called out his team for a lack of effort and discipline, especially on the defensive end, in Game 2, their first defeat at home since March. But in Miami they came out determined to improve on their performance as Murray hit eight of his first 13 shots and had 20 points by halftime.
Jokic began to dominate the game in the third with 12 points and six rebounds as Denver produced a 29-15 run, which opened up an 82-63 lead just before the quarter came to an end. Commenting on another all-time great Jokic performance, Murray said: "I think it speaks for itself. How many times does he have to do that for you guys to believe in his game or our game or whatever?
"Like, he's doing it, making it look so easy, good shooting, low turnovers, two blocked shots, got great hands, great communication in the pick-and-rolls, and I.Q. and all that. We're running out of things to say."
Coach Malone described the performances from his two stars as the greatest in their seven years of playing together. Jokic was asked if he agreed with that sentiment but declined to answer if it is the best they have ever played together.
Jokic added: “I don't know if it's the best. I don't know. We're just trying to win a game right now. We can think about that later." The Nuggets shot 51.2% from the field while holding Miami to just 37% shooting and 11-of-35 from three-point range.
Jimmy Butler, who scored 28 points in the defeat, criticised his team for lacking energy, especially after getting outrebounded 58-33, and vowed to improve ahead of game four. "I don't know, I can’t answer that,” he said when explaining why that was the case.
“Maybe we're at home; we think we did something. I don't know. It just can't happen. It won't happen again. It starts with myself. I have to lock in on the defensive end. I have to go up and get loose balls. I think if I start playing and doing that, then everybody else has to follow suit."
