NBA fans couldn’t help but mock the Detroit Pistons after Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic toyed with them and played what many are calling a “disrespectful” game.
The Nuggets made easy work of the Pistons on Sunday, destroying the struggling team to the tune of a 131-114 drubbing behind Jamal Murray’s 37-point explosion. The Blue Arrow added five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in the dominant showing.
Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in 18 points apiece to pile more misery on Cade Cunningham and the hapless Detroit franchise. However, what really stood out in the contest was Jokic’s stat line.
Jokic finished with just four points, but before critics go at him and crucify him for such uncharacteristic performance, it is important to note that he just took three shots and made two of them. His offensive production was by choice, as he enjoyed fulfilling the role of a playmaker en route to 16 assists.
The Joker also had seven rebounds and five blocks–which is definitely funny since he has more rejections than points scored.
Denver’s superstar and MVP undoubtedly made his impact on other areas of the game aside from scoring. Naturally, fans expressed belief that he didn’t take the Pistons seriously since he had plenty of opportunities to score. They’re up against the fourth-worst defense in the NBA!
For many, it’s the ultimate disrespect on the Pistons, and they couldn’t help but laugh about it.
Jokic broke the Pistons subreddit pic.twitter.com/DPkyjV7Weq
— Trev (@thats_t__) January 8, 2024
Man 😂😂 Jokic decides when he wants to play. He took only three shots and realized that the Pistons were not worth it. pic.twitter.com/edBGJfG4LT
— H A R R I S O N (@mornyharrisonn) January 8, 2024
Nikola Jokic was like 'I'm not shooting against the Pistons' 😅
4 PTS
2-3 FG
16 AST
5 BLK
✅ Victory pic.twitter.com/pRgchI35pl— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) January 8, 2024
nikola jokic is using the pistons to farm badges im crying man https://t.co/dN1zjy1hnl
— Jeff On Sports (@j_shao_) January 8, 2024
Regardless if Nikola Jokic did it on purpose or not, he certainly showed how talented he is. He doesn’t need to score to help the Denver Nuggets win, which makes them even more dangerous.
Unfortunately for the Detroit Pistons, they were on the receiving end of one of the best displays of greatness from one of the greatest big men to ever step foot on the NBA hardwood.
Nikola Jokic Makes History for Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons
Making things even more amazing for Nikola Jokic, he actually made history with his performance.
With his 16-assist display, he became the first player since Russell Westbrook in 2015 to have at least 15 assists in a game while playing under 25 minutes, per Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports. Against the Detroit Pistons, the Serbian clocked in 24 minutes and 37 seconds of playing time.
Jokic is also the first player in the history of the NBA to have at least 15 assists, five rebounds and five blocks in a game while scoring less than five points, according to Stat Muse.
What a memorable night for Jokic and the Nuggets, indeed.
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