Nikola Jokic: ‘I still want to be a Nugget forever’ after Denver eliminated

The Denver Nuggets are out. Nikola Jokic is not going anywhere.

At least, that is how he sees it.

“I still want to be a Nugget forever,” Jokic said after Denver’s 110-98 Game 6 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a defeat that ended the Nuggets’ season.

Jokic did what he could. He finished with 28 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, just missing another triple-double. It was not enough.

Minnesota controlled the game where it mattered most. The Timberwolves dominated the paint 64-40 and won the rebounding battle 50-33, leaning on size and effort with a short-handed roster.

Jaden McDaniels led the way with 32 points and 10 rebounds, while Terrence Shannon Jr. added 24 in a surprise start.

For Denver, the issues were familiar. Jokic delivered. The support did not follow. Jamal Murray struggled to 12 points on 4-of-17 shooting as the offense stalled.

The Nuggets forced a Game 6 with a strong showing in Game 5. They could not carry it over.

Now comes the bigger question. What changes, if anything, around Jokic? If his words are any indication, he is not looking to leave.

The franchise, however, may need to look hard at what comes next.