Booker, who expressed regret over the victory, “The whole team tried to stop Jokic
Jokic’s performance was the reason Denver was able to chase to the end.
The Denver Nuggets lost 124-129 to the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the 2nd round of the 2022-2023 NBA Playoffs held at the Phoenix Footprint Center on the 8th (hereinafter Korean time). With the loss of the game on this day, the series record was 2-2.
The match was tight from start to finish. The largest score difference during the match was only 10 points. The close battle continued and a great victory was won. However, Denver was very disappointed with the 14 points it gave to Landlet Shamet (193cm, G) in the fourth quarter.
Although the match was lost, Nikola Jokic (211cm, C) scored the most points in the match that day. He scored 53 points, the highest score ever. He wasn’t just good at scoring. He also recorded 11 assists. However, with the team’s defeat, Yokichi’s performance faded.
Jokic actively attacked from the first quarter. Unlike usual, he scored more aggressively and scored 9 points. His second quarter performance was also stellar. He succeeded in all 6 shots he attempted and dominated under the opponent’s goal. Unlike usual, the game focused on scoring rather than passing. As a result, they scored 24 points in the first half alone. Still, Denver couldn’t take the advantage and ended the first half.
Then Yokichi became more active. When the opponent harassed Yokichi from the bottom of the goal, he even showed off outside shooting and destroyed the opponent’s defense. He tried 10 shots in the 3rd quarter and managed 6 of them. He had a monstrous performance, scoring 18 points alone.
Afterwards, in the fourth quarter, when the opponent’s defense was crowded, the teammates were saved through passes. He scored every important moment and led the team’s pursuit. However, the dribbling mistake made at the end of the game was so painful. Even with Jokic’s fight, Denver couldn’t turn the game around.
Players from the opposing team were also tongue-tied at Yokichi’s amazing performance. Devin Booker (196cm, G), whom we met after the game, said, “Jokic is good at scoring. If the opponent’s defense is crowded there, he uses it well. “The whole team does their best in every possession to bully him. But we failed. He is a player who can score whenever he wants.” 토스카지노
Kevin Durant (206cm, F) also said, “He is really amazing. He plays whatever he wants. That’s why he was voted MVP twice.”
Jokic leads Denver in averaging 30.8 points, 13.1 rebounds and 9.2 assists in this playoff run. In particular, in the second round with Phoenix, he continues his amazing performance with an average of 36.5 points, 14 rebounds and 9.5 assists.