"Good to get punched in the face": Nikola Jokic keeps it real in post-game comments after Knicks clash

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the New York Knicks, losing 145-118 on Monday evening. This marked their worst loss of the season, a harsh reality check for the reigning NBA champions. The Nuggets’ Serbian sensation delivered another respectable performance but acknowledged that the team fell short in several aspects.

Jokic concluded the game with 22 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal in his 32 minutes on the court, shooting 9-for-20 from the field. Reflecting on the disheartening result, he remarked that games like this offer learning opportunities. "I think you can always learn from games like this. Just what they do, how teams are looking at us, what they did to have a game like this,” he noted. Jokic further added, “It’s always good to get punched in the face, just to wake up.”

The defeat, dropping the Nuggets to a 9-7 record, marked a significant slip for a team accustomed to dominating the Western Conference. Head coach Michael Malone’s earlier criticisms about inconsistent effort were openly endorsed by Jokic. "He was right," Jokic acknowledged. "I don’t know, we don’t warm up or don’t wake up or we just don’t play hard enough. I don’t know what it is, but collectively we need to do a better job."
Despite the loss, Jokic’s overall season performance continues to be stellar. Through 13 games, the three-time MVP is averaging 29.7 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 10.9 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 55.9% from the field and 52.7% from beyond the arc. This level of dominance underscores his value as the cornerstone of Denver’s ambitions.
Meanwhile, the Knicks improved to a 10-7 record, climbing to fourth in the Eastern Conference. Their convincing performance on Monday demonstrated their potential to compete against elite teams.
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The Nuggets aim to bounce back as they prepare to face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. With Jokic leading the charge, the team will seek to regain momentum and address their recent shortcomings. For now, the defeat serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the need for greater focus and effort as the season progresses.