Nuggets star Nikola Jokic’s Serbia comment sums up ugly Timberwolves series

The Denver Nuggets fell short of their lofty championship goals in the first round of the NBA playoffs, as they were bounced by the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves in six games. In Game 6, the Nuggets had their chances to pull out a late victory, but the Wolves pulled away in the fourth quarter and got a 110-98 win in Game 6.

This loss, after a regular season that had the Nuggets dreaming of another NBA title, will raise a lot of questions in Denver about their future and what the roster will look like around Nikola Jokic. After the loss, Jokic wouldn’t comment on any specific changes that he wants to see made, but he did throw in a quick joke about his home country, via Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

Nikola Jokic: “We just lost in the first round. I think we are far away.”

Changes needed?

“That’s not my decision. Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all be fired.” pic.twitter.com/9JfZftejzt

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 1, 2026

“That’s not my decision,” Jokic said when asked if changes are needed in Denver. “Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all be fired.”

Jokic didn’t have a great series by his lofty standards, and Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert got the better of him on a number of occasions. However, with his back against the wall on Thursday night, Jokic brought his best basketball in order to try to keep the Nuggets’ season alive. After scoring just nine points in the first half, Jokic scored 19 in the second half and finished with 28 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.

However, the Nuggets didn’t get enough from Jamal Murray in Game 6, as the All-Star guard finished with just 12 points on 4-of-17 shooting. On the other side, Jaden McDaniels had one of the best games of his career with 32 points and 10 rebounds in the win for Minnesota.

The Wolves will now advance to the second round to take on the San Antonio Spurs, while the Nuggets face question after question. Jokic will almost surely be back in Denver, and he said after the game that he still wants to be a lifelong Nugget. However, the status of those around him, especially head coach David Adelman, will be a big talking point in the coming weeks.

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