Barkley pointed out how Jokic's statistical excellence makes him very important to the Nuggets. The center averaged a triple-double during the regular season, and while Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to win the league MVP award this year, many still consider Jokic the best player in the world.

The Denver Nuggets are showing the resilience of a championship team following Michael Malone’s bombshell firing. After taking down the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games in round one, Nikola Jokic’s squad stormed back for an upset road win over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.

Denver won Game 4 against the Clippers ... but blew a 22-point lead in the process. Denver lost Game 5 to the Thunder, but Jokić was sensational with