One of the most significant games of the season was the matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets. A win would virtually secure the winning team the top slot in the Western Conference because both teams have the same record. Nikola Jokic came prepared and helped the reigning champs win 116-107, taking the top seed in the West with him. NBA.com reports that “the Joker” scored 41 points in this game, shocking even superstar Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards was questioned about Nikola Jokic’s play and the challenges of covering the two-time MVP after the aforementioned game. Fortunately, Edwards doesn’t have to defend the Serbian because he is a guard.
Anthony Edwards praises Nikola Jokic
Ant declared that he was “unstoppable” before instructing the reporter to ask Rudy Gobert, Kyle Anderson, and Naz Reid about protecting the big man.
“I don’t know [about how to guard him], I don’t have to guard him… It look hard. I dunno, mother**ker’s unstoppable. So I dunno, you gotta ask Naz and Rudy and Kyle. It looks hard,” Ant told the reporter.
Anthony Edwards when asked how hard it was to guard Nikola Jokic in this matchup:
"I don't know, I don't have to guard him… It look hard. I dunno, motherfucker's unstoppable. So I dunno, you gotta ask Naz and Rudy and Kyle. It looks hard."
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) April 11, 2024
It is true that Anthony Edwards is not required to protect Nikola Jokic. But even he can obviously see the kind of matchup horrors that ‘The Big Honey’ produces. Given his level of skill, it is therefore not surprising that, in spite of the stakes, he had such a great night.
Nikola Jokic spent more time on the floor than any other Nuggets player by the end of the game. According to NBA.com, the 29-year-old recorded a near triple-double in those 38:25 minutes with a fantastic 41 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Joker filled the stat sheet to help the Nuggets capture the top seed in the West ⚔️
41 PTS | 11 REB | 7 AST | 16-20 FGM pic.twitter.com/U1XZBizajF
— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2024