Jokic points out harsh reality after Nuggets get bounced by Wolves

After an extremely disappointing first-round exit from the playoffs, the three-time MVP didn't hold back in his postgame press conference

BY JAMES MERILATT

May 1, 2026, 7:47 AM

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The Nuggets entered the NBA postseason with the fourth-best odds of winning a championship. Their playoff run last six games, ending with a thud on Thursday night in Minnesota, as Denver lost to a depleted Timberwolves team and was bounced in the first round.

It was a colossal disappointment. A team with title aspirations was eliminated before May.

As a result, there will be a lot of soul searching at Ball Arena this offseason. Fingers of blame will be pointed. Scapegoats will be found. And change will happen.

At least it should. According to the Nuggets three-time Most Valuable Player a shakeup has to be in the works.

"I mean we just lost in the first round, so I think we are far away [from a championship contender]."

Nikola Jokic didn't hold back on where the Nuggets are at 📹 pic.twitter.com/MaHXuKMoXk

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 1, 2026

The Nuggets lost in the first round. They aren’t “close” to winning a title. Josh Kroenke and company need to realize that and make major moves.

In places where basketball is taken seriously, people would lose their jobs for that type of collapse. KSE needs to show that Denver is one of those locales.

It’s time to stop sugarcoating things. It’s time to stop making excuses. And Nikola Jokic knows it.