Nikola Jokic is a wonder to behold. He drives the lane slower than molasses rolling uphill but he just makes things happen. Tonight he put up 26 points to pace Denver, carrying the offense for the first three quarters when shots just were not falling and then helping the Nuggets finish off the Raptors down the stretch.
And the offensive variety itself was just vast. Did you want to see him drive the hoop and finish with a Euro step? Done. Spin move for the rim-protected lay-in? It’s in there. Left-handed hook shot? Sure, why not.
He even backed down Serge Ibaka for a one-handed and back-handed lay-in off the glass in a move he says he practices, because of course he does. My personal favorite play of the night was the fake three / fake corner pass / assist from the three point line for a dunk to a cutting Torrey Craig. Most of the plays that Jokic makes are not set plays, they are playground whimsy. And I am here for all of that magical creation and invention on a basketball court. It lifted Denver’s injury-riddled squad to victory tonight, and is the thing that will keep them afloat until those reinforcements are healthy.
Check out tonight’s magic in the highlights below!
