{"id":643022,"date":"2026-05-01T15:50:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:50:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/643022\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T15:50:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:50:08","slug":"nikola-jokic-gives-honest-assessment-of-nuggets-future-title-hopes-after-first-round-loss-to-timberwolves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/643022\/","title":{"rendered":"Nikola Jokic gives honest assessment of Nuggets’ future title hopes after first-round loss to Timberwolves"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three years removed from their first title in franchise history, the Nuggets<\/a>‘ star player Nikola Jokic believes that the team is “far away” from another.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After entering the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, the Nuggets lost 4-2 to an injury-riddled Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> team, who were down their star SG Anthony Edwards, PG Donte DiVincenzo and explosive replacement Ayo Dosunmu. Despite these injury concerns, Minnesota still clinched the series with a 110-98 win on Thursday.<\/p>\n

This season marks Denver’s eighth consecutive postseason appearance. In that span, the Nuggets have only lost in the first round one other time, to the Warriors<\/a> during their 2022 Championship run. Jokic, who has spent his entire career in Denver, has been accustomed to first-round success in the playoffs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After the devastating loss, however, Jokic was asked about the team’s future aspirations for a championship. And despite a respectable season in Denver, Jokic had a message that could serve as a harsh wake-up call for many.<\/p>\n

Here’s what the Serbian center had to say about the future of the Denver Nuggets.<\/p>\n

NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:\u00a0Live NBA scores<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NBA playoff schedule<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NBA playoff bracket<\/a><\/p>\n

What Nikola Jokic said after first-round loss to Timberwolves<\/p>\n

After the game, Jokic was asked how far the team is from being a championship contender. He was frank in his response.<\/p>\n

“We just lost in the first round. I think we are far away.” Jokic said per ESPN’s Anthony Slater<\/a><\/p>\n

Nikola Jokic: \u201cWe just lost in the first round. I think we are far away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Changes needed?<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not my decision. Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all be fired.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/9JfZftejzt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

As a follow-up, Jokic was asked if changes were needed for the team going forward. Jokic hesitated, emphasizing that this decision is the front office’s responsibility.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“That’s not my decision. Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all be fired.” Jokic said per Slater.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While these comments are often enough to kick off a whirlwind of trade expectations, especially for someone of Jokic’s caliber, the Nuggets’ center shut this down.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I still want to be a nugget forever,” Jokic said per Slater.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While there is surely a laundry list of teams that would love Jokic’s talents, it seems they may have to wait. Jokic is up for free agency in 2027 at the earliest, but has a player option for the 2027-28 season. He is also eligible for an extension this offseason, valued as high as 4 years and $293 million.<\/p>\n

MORE NUGGETS-TIMBERWOLVES:<\/p>\n