‘Good to get punched in the face’: Nikola Jokic keeps it real in post-game comments after Knicks clash | NBA news

Nikola Jokic and that Denver Nuggets suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of New York Knickslost 145-118 Monday night. This marked their worst loss of the season, a harsh reality check for the reigning champions NBA master. The Nuggets’ Serbian sensation delivered another respectable performance, but acknowledged that the team fell short in several aspects.

Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets stumble in a crushing loss to the Knicks

Jokic finished the game with 22 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal in his 32 minutes on the court, shooting 9-for-20 from the field. Reflecting on the disappointing result, he noted that games like this offer learning opportunities. “I think you can always learn from games like this. Just what they do, how the teams look at us, what they did to have a game like this,” he noted. Jokic further added, “It’s always good to get punched in the face, just to wake up.”

The loss, which dropped the Nuggets to a 9-7 record, marked a significant slide for a team accustomed to dominating the Western Conference. Head coach Michael Malone’s previous criticism of inconsistent effort was openly endorsed by Jokic. “He was right,” Jokic admitted. “I don’t know, we don’t warm up or wake up or we just don’t play hard enough. I don’t know what it is, but collectively we have to do a better job.”
Despite the loss, Jokic’s overall season performance continues to be stellar. Through 13 games, the three-time MVP is averaging 29.7 points, 13.4 rebounds and 10.9 assists per game. This level of dominance underscores his value as the cornerstone of Denver’s ambitions.
Meanwhile, the Knicks improved to a 10-7 record and climbed into fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Their convincing performance on Monday demonstrated their potential to compete against elite teams.
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The Nuggets aim to bounce back as they prepare to meet Utah Jazz on Wednesday. With Jokic at the helm, the team will look to regain momentum and address their recent shortcomings. For now, the defeat serves as a wake-up call that underscores the need for greater focus and effort as the season progresses.