Stephen A. Smith Speaks Out on Nuggets' Playoff Departure, Champions Nikola Jokic's Impact

Nikola Jokic conveyed his disappointment, indicating that the team's performance fell short. Stephen A. Smith echoed this sentiment, expressing no issue with Jokic's critique regarding insufficient support from teammates. Following a disheartening 125–93 defeat, Jokic, who averaged 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists throughout the series, acknowledged the challenge posed by the energetic Oklahoma City Thunder. When queried about the Nuggets’ championship potential, Jokic candidly stated, “I mean, we didn’t. So obviously we can’t… We had our opportunity and we didn’t win it.” His candid remarks quickly gained traction. Smith, discussing these comments on First Take, praised Jokic’s honesty and stellar performance, noting his remarkable statistics this season. Individually, Jokic excelled, averaging 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists per game.