For three quarters, the Denver Nuggets had the Oklahoma City Thunder exactly where they wanted them. They had survived Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s relentless scoring, stayed within striking distance, and looked ready to pull off a huge road win. And then? It all unraveled.
Denver was only down four with just under nine minutes left. Close game. Plenty of time. And then Michael Malone made the decision that changed everything—he subbed out Nikola Jokic. From that moment on, it was a disaster. The Thunder caught fire, closing the game on a brutal 32-12 run. Some fans immediately pointed fingers at Malone for pulling Jokic, asking if that one move cost Denver the game.
But Malone? He wasn’t having it.
He knew exactly what he was doing, and after the game, he made it clear—this wasn’t a mistake. Managing Jokic’s minutes wasn’t just some choice he made on a whim. It was necessary.
“Yeah, we think it was a four-point game down four when I took Nikola out at the nine-minute mark, and then obviously things went downhill in a hurry from there,” Malone admitted. “Obviously had a hard time scoring… They outscored us, I think, 32 to 12 to close. We couldn’t score, and Shai and Jalen Williams just kind of took over.“
But let’s be real—Denver didn’t play a bad game. They actually did a lot right before things collapsed. They kept their turnovers low—just eight, in one of the toughest arenas in the league. And they battled hard on the glass. But those little moments, those 50/50 balls? That’s where Oklahoma City made them pay.
Shai Finished With 40 Pts vs Nuggets #shai #nba #basketball #nuggets #okcthunder #fyp #fypシ #okc #thunder #jokic pic.twitter.com/kVBYe2gltf
— NBA Library (@NbaLibrary) March 9, 2025
“The details matter and the little things matter when you’re playing against a team like that. They grabbed 10 50/50 balls to our three,” Malone pointed out. “They had 16 second-chance points on 10 offensive rebounds, a couple of big ones in the fourth quarter.“
Could Jokic have helped close this game out? Probably. But Malone wasn’t about to run his MVP into the ground just for one win in March.
“No, I’m not gonna play him, you know, 24 straight minutes. He’s got to get a break. He’s an incredible player, a well-conditioned athlete, but I’m not gonna run him into the ground,” Malone said, shutting down the debate. “I probably played him too many minutes tonight—41. But I knew I had to get him out at some point.“
Thibs should probably take some notes here.
The Bigger Picture: Michael Malone Protecting the Nuggets’ Franchise Star
This wasn’t just about one game. This was about the long haul. The playoffs. The bigger picture. And that means keeping Jokic fresh. The guy has been a machine all season, leading the Nuggets in almost every major category. But even machines need maintenance. And with Jokic already battling some injury concerns, Malone knows he has to be careful.
Jokic has been dealing with left ankle inflammation—an issue serious enough to have him listed as questionable before this game. And it’s not just that. Earlier this month, he took some nasty arm lacerations in a game against Boston. He’s tough as hell, no doubt about that. But how much can you really ask from him before it starts catching up? Malone’s been around too long to make that mistake. He’s seen what happens when players get pushed too hard.
And it’s not just Nikola Jokic—the Nuggets are dealing with injuries across the board. Aaron Gordon is pushing through a left ankle sprain, while Julian Strawther and DaRon Holmes II are sidelined indefinitely. With the Western Conference as competitive as ever, Denver needs every ounce of energy just to keep up.
Putting too much on Jokic’s shoulders right now? That’s a risky move. If the Nuggets want to make a deep postseason run, they need to manage his workload wisely.
Nov 8, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone pulls center Nikola Jokic (15) away from a scrum in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Would keeping him in have changed the outcome against the Thunder? Maybe. But Malone isn’t playing for one night—he’s playing for June. He’s playing for another championship run.
The Nuggets are still one of the most dangerous teams in the West. And as long as their MVP is upright and ready when it matters most? They’re going to be in the fight.
So yeah, Michael Malone’s decision might have cost them this one. But if it means a fresher, healthier Jokic when the games really count? That’s a trade the Nuggets will make every single time.
The post Michael Malone Explains His Nikola Jokic Decision in Thunder Loss as HC Clears Stance on Protecting Nuggets Star appeared first on EssentiallySports.
