Nikola Jokic says Game 7 is “just another one”

The Denver Nuggets will play in the sixth Game 7 of the Nikola Jokic era at Ball Arena on Saturday after losing to the LA Clippers in Game 6, 111-105. After an embarrassing loss in Game 7 against the Minnesota Timberwolves a year ago, pressure is on the Nuggets to not lose in front of their home fans again.

Nikola Jokic had played in five Game 7s for the Nuggets in his career, winning three of them. He has averaged 26 points, 16.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. For him, Saturday’s high-stakes showdown isn’t anything deeper than any other game.

“It’s just another one … I’m going to approach it [as] just another one because I play every game, for me it’s like really important. Every game is important and every game I want to win. So, I’m going to play as a regular game,” Jokic said after the loss on Thursday.

Jokic also said that he doesn’t have a bad taste ion his mouth from the Timberwolves meltdown a season ago, as he said he’s not a person who thinks about the past.

For Jamal Murray, he was all business after Thursday’s loss as he had clearly started locking in and focusing on the winner-take-all game in Denver. He emphasized the importance of being mentally prepared heading into the game.

“Effort, hard-nosed basketball. A great attitude. A positive mindset toward your teammates and a loose feeling for yourself individually, “Murray said.”I think those are very key. One guy could have a very good game and you could still lose a Game 7. Everyone’s got to bring it, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually, and I think if we do that, we’ll be in a good place.”

For Christian Braun, he played less than 20 minutes in last year’s fiasco, and remembers the pain that the loss caused. He’s focused on being a bigger factor this time around, and knows that the fans at Ball Arena will be loud and proud to back his game up.

“I’m just excited. I know it’s going to be a fun game. I know the fans are going to bring it, I know the guys are going to bring it, we’re going to be ready,” Braun said. “Game 7 is really fun for us, especially at home, I think that coach even said tonight, the last three games of the year, we worked for Game 7 to be at home, so we’ve got to bring it and I know we will.”

The Nuggets have lost two straight Game 7s at home, blowing a 17-point lead in both of them. While each player is preparing with a slightly different mindset, the message is the same for everyone as the Nuggets aim to avoid going home early this year.

Saturday’s contest tips from Ball Arena at 5:30 p.m. and will be televised on TNT.

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