Nikola Jokic’s valiant effort on one leg in Game 5 deserves unlimited praise

That’s our MVP.

On a night most people gave the Nuggets no chance, superstar Nikola Jokic delivered a legendary performance worth every superlative you can think of. Denver fell 102-98 in Game 5 to end their season, but Jokic played a game Nuggets fans can be proud of for a long time.

First, the statistics were unreal, but they always are. Jokic had 30 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists to give Denver a fighting chance. It’s a stat line very few players in the NBA could ever dream of having, but for Jokic, it seemingly happens on a nightly basis. And it almost always makes history.

Jokic is the first player with at least 30 pts, 19 rebs, 8 asts, 66% FG in a playoff game in 55 years. Wilt is the only other to do it.

— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) April 28, 2022

But beyond that, battling a hamstring issue and looking like he was down for the count, Jokic returned to the game (with five fouls) and nearly willed the Nuggets to an improbable win. “The Joker” came back in the contest with 6:22 to go and Denver trailing 86-84.

He scored the next 12 points for the Nuggets, and only a meaningless layup with 1.2 seconds left from Monte Morris kept the rest of the team from being shutout down the stretch. Playing on what looked like one leg, Jokic was his dazzling self around the rim, making several tough shots. He got the Nuggets as close as 94-92 with 1:28 left before Jeff Green decided not to close out on Gary Payton II — a dagger three as the shot clock expired.

Jokic, with TNT showing shots of him on the exercise bike working on the hamstring, could have taken his ball and gone home but never did. From the bubble, to last season, to this season, Joker has played a ridiculous amount of basketball the last 20 months. And he’s never complained. Not once.

The best player in the world is also perhaps the most durable. He goes out there nearly every night, scratches on his arms and all, and consistently brings a high-level effort. Denver is incredibly lucky to have Jokic, and soon he’ll be rewarded with another MVP. What the Serbian did on Wednesday against the Warriors should make the whole city beam with pride.

He needs help, obviously, but that’s a story for a different day. It stinks the Nuggets lost, but greatest player in franchise history deserves nothing but our utmost respect. Cheers to Nikola.
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