After winning his third NBA MVP, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic spent 15 minutes Wednesday answering questions from local reporters about a variety of topics, from his late mentor Dejan Milojevic to his love of Denver; from his respect for Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon to his own career timeline as he nears 30. The questions included below are paraphrased for brevity and clarity, and Jokic’s responses are shortened in some cases. You’re never shy about your disinterest in the MVP race. How have your feelings toward the award changed since the first time you won? Have you accepted more that it’s ..read more

In another season of unpredictably dazzling passes and post moves, the most spontaneous scene of all involved Nikola Jokic simply walking off a basketball court. It was January in Washington after a 42-point masterclass against an unimpressive opponent. A throng of Wizards fans flocked to the corner of their arena where Jokic would disappear down the tunnel toward the locker room. The enemy sent him off with an ovation. “There’s a lot of talented players in this league,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said afterward, “but if you don’t love Nikola Jokic, I don’t know what you’re looking for.” Jok ..read more

Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray took responsibility Wednesday for throwing objects in the direction of an official during a playoff game, attempting to deflect follow-up questions about the incident and emphasizing that he has moved on. “It is what it is,” he said when asked about his punishment from the NBA, a $100,000 fine but no accompanying suspension. “I take full responsibility, so on to the next.” When asked about his frustration boiling over, a terse Murray repeated that his focus is Game 3 against the Timberwolves. “I mean, it was two days ago,” he said. “Not much for me to say about ..read more

We began Monday talking about Rudy Gobert’s first baby and spent Tuesday discussing Jamal Murray acting like a toddler. Is it any wonder the Nuggets trail 2-0 in the Western Conference semifinals? They have dissolved before our eyes against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Unable to match their opponent’s physicality, the Nuggets stamped their feet and sought a life raft from the officials in Game 2. The only thing more embarrassing than the final score were the Nuggets’ actions. After stating their case eloquently in the first quarter, especially coach Michael Malone, the pleading should have been ..read more

The NBA has fined Jamal Murray $100,000 for throwing multiple items in the direction of an official during a playoff game between the Nuggets and Timberwolves, the league announced Tuesday. Murray avoided a suspension after the league reviewed the incident, sources told The Denver Post. He will be eligible to play Friday in Game 3 of the second-round series, which the Nuggets trail 2-0. Murray was seated at the end of the home bench during the second quarter of Game 2 when he threw what appeared to be a heat pack in the direction of lead official Marc Davis. The item flew past Davis, who was o ..read more

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after the Minnesota Timberwolves blew away Denver to take a 2-0 series lead. Among the topics discussed: Jamal Murray threw in the towel and the heat pack. How does this affect the team, the struggling star and the Nuggets’ chances to dig out of a deep hole against a surging Minnesota team? What answer is there for Anthony Edwards? With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hobbled and struggling, Bennett contends Christian Braun might be the best bet. Nikola Jokic is on the verge of hi ..read more

Jamal Murray would have received a technical foul but not an ejection if officials had known Murray was responsible for a thrown item on the court during the Nuggets’ loss to the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Monday night. Crew chief Marc Davis was not aware the item came from Denver’s bench, he said in a pool report interview, otherwise the officials could have reviewed the incident under the NBA’s “hostile act trigger.” A review would have resulted in a technical foul but not an ejection. “For an ejection, you would have to determine it was thrown directly at somebody versus thrown in frustratio ..read more

Oh Baby! The Timberwolves were better without Rudy. Let’s hit skip on the diss tracks and talk of a Nuggets dynasty. Those drunken words at the downtown parade seem like a long time ago. In what amounted to a must-win game, the Nuggets delivered a first-half performance that belonged in a diaper, losing 106-80. Everything suggested the Nuggets would rebound like Dennis Rodman. Monday demanded urgency, a path made easier by Rudy Gobert’s admirable decision to miss Game 2 to be with his partner for the birth of the couple’s first child. Even before Jamal Murray acted childish, throwing his heat ..read more

The Denver Nuggets lost 106-80 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of their second-round NBA playoff series at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Monday night, May 6, 2024. Minnesota leads the series 2-0. Related Articles Denver Nuggets | Renck: Oh Baby! Even without Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves leave Nuggets crying in frustration. Denver Nuggets | Timberwolves demolish Nuggets in Game 2, stun Denver for 2-0 playoff series deficit Denver Nuggets | Nuggets 3-pointers: No Rudy Gobert? No problem for Timberwolves, who show no mercy in rout of Denver Denver Nuggets | Where’s Chris Finch? Timb ..read more

In the quiet and calm of an off day at Ball Arena, the Nuggets were at ease with the discomfort of their situation Sunday after losing a close series opener to the Timberwolves. But coach Michael Malone had an honest assessment of his team in response to a reporter’s question after Denver’s film session. How was Malone feeling about his squad’s level of hunger and desire to repeat as NBA champions? “At some point, man, you’ve gotta stop doing the same thing. We’ve gotta do a better job, and our starters in particular have to do a better job of being ready to play and setting the tone early,” M ..read more