Nikola Jokic fouled out of a professional basketball game for the first time in his career during the Denver Nuggets' 149-106 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday night. The event occurred in Game 2 of the second round playoff series, which the top-seeded Thunder now trail 1-1.
The six-time All-Star exited the game with 1:17 remaining in the third period after accumulating his sixth foul. He finished with 17 points before leaving. The loss was decided early in the contest, with the Nuggets trailing by a significant margin for much of the night.
Following the loss, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon spoke to reporters, expressing frustration with the way officials called the game regarding Jokic.
Gordon stated that the Thunder were fouling Jokic frequently, suggesting the officials were calling the second foul more often than the first contact. "They are calling the second foul almost all of the time. They are fouling Joker first," Gordon said in comments regarding the officiating.Despite Gordon's remarks about the fouls and the Thunder's physicality, no Nuggets players publicly blamed the officiating for the substantial margin of defeat. The physicality of the series has become a narrative point in the playoffs.
Through two games against the Thunder, Jokic has been assessed 11 fouls. Conversely, he has attempted 19 free throws across the two contests.
Jokic himself offered his perspective on dealing with the defensive pressure. He downplayed the Thunder's style, which involves multiple defenders challenging him.
"You just try to fight through it with positioning the best that you can and deal with the consequences," Jokic said.
The series now shifts to Denver for Game 3 on Friday.
