The Denver Nuggets kicked off their playoff run with a wild overtime win over the Clippers, and sure, the scoreboard says it was a good night. But let’s be real—it wasn’t smooth sailing. Not even close. And after all the chaos on the court, it wasn’t the stat sheet or the buzzer-beater moments that had everyone talking. It was what Nikola Jokic said afterward—especially when asked about one of his younger teammates who, well… kind of vanished during the game.
Yeah, Jokic spoke his mind. But what made it even more chilling? His message wasn’t just for one player. It was for everyone in that locker room.
So here’s the deal. Michael Porter Jr. was barely noticeable in Game 1. We’re talking 3 points. Four shots. This is a guy who’s supposed to be a serious scoring threat, and yet, it was like he just faded into the background. Naturally, reporters asked Jokic if he wanted to see more from Porter.
Nikola didn’t hesitate. No dancing around it, no fluff.
“Of course,” he said. “Teams are preparing for him… but we definitely can find him a couple more looks.” And then came the part that hit hard: “I think the goal is to win a game—it’s not about minutes and about shots. You need to support your team.”
Apr 11, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Russell Westbrook (4) celebrate defeating the against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Boom. That’s the kind of thing you say when you’re done sugarcoating. Jokic didn’t throw MPJ under the bus, but he made it real clear—this is the playoffs. You don’t get to go missing. If your shot’s not falling? Fine. But that doesn’t mean you get to tap out.
The Denver Nuggets didn’t hand Michael Porter Jr. a $179 million contract for heat-check threes in high-pressure playoff moments — at least not just for that. The stakes are much bigger now, and in this second-apron CBA era, so are the expectations.
Back in August, Porter was refreshingly honest about what comes with being paid like a star.
“The money almost honestly sometimes makes it a little bit harder to enjoy the game,” he admitted. “With a max contract comes a lot of expectations on consistency… you’re supposed to be an All-Star.”
That brings us to the real pressure.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s two-way reliability was a key cog in 2023’s title run — and now, Denver is relying on MPJ to help absorb that void. That doesn’t mean Porter has to be a defensive stopper, but he has to be more than a rhythm shooter. His rebounding, off-ball movement, closeout reads — all of it — has to rise to meet the moment.
Because Jokic, as generational as he is, can’t do it alone. And in the playoffs, every possession magnifies value. If Porter can elevate his impact, he helps stretch defenses, stabilizes Denver’s scoring, and keeps the floor spaced for Jokic and Murray to operate at full capacity.
And he’s right.
In a league where salary cap flexibility can make or break a championship window, Porter Jr. represents more than just a floor-spacer next to Nikola Jokic — he’s taking up nearly 25% of Denver’s cap. In CBA terms, that means he must play at an All-Star level, or close to it, for the Nuggets to maximize their title aspirations.
The Nuggets aren’t just betting on talent — they’re betting on MPJ becoming indispensable. The next few weeks will reveal whether that investment pays off.
Jokic’s Warning to the locker room: “If You’re Not Engaged…”
Now here’s where things really turned icy.
Someone followed up and asked Jokic straight up—when a teammate isn’t locked in, do you pull them aside between games? Do you have that talk? And that’s when Jokic dropped a line that’ll probably live in Nuggets playoff lore for a while. “If you’re not going to be engaged right now, I think you’re not supposed to play this sport.”
That right there? That’s not just about Porter. That’s a full-blown locker room warning. This is the postseason. If you can’t show up mentally and emotionally, if you’re still treating this like a regular-season Tuesday night… you shouldn’t even be suiting up.
Jokic did add that sometimes a bad night just happens—it’s the NBA, no one’s perfect. But the urgency in his tone said everything. You can slip up, but you better bounce back. Fast.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 16: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the second half against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on January 16, 2020 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
All this tension kind of overshadows what was actually a wild game. The Clippers came out swinging, dropping 35 in the first quarter and looking like they had everything under control. The Nuggets trailed for most of it, but once the fourth quarter hit? Everything changed.
Russell Westbrook hit a huge corner three to give Denver the lead, James Harden answered with a floater to tie it, and then we headed to overtime with hearts pounding.
That’s when Aaron Gordon stepped up big, scoring six of his 25 points in OT. And Westbrook, who’s becoming a cult hero in Denver, sealed it by deflecting an inbounds pass off Harden with 9.6 seconds left. Talk about redemption arcs.
Of course, Jokic was everywhere—29 points, 12 assists, 9 rebounds. Just another day in the office. Jamal Murray added 21. Christian Braun even hit a clutch three in the extra period. Denver found a way to win. But that low-key tension from MPJ’s disappearance? It hung over everything.
Now the Nuggets are up 1–0, but this thing is far from over. Game 2 is set for Monday night at Ball Arena, and Jokic’s comments guarantee the energy in that locker room is gonna be different.
He doesn’t care if you’re the tenth man or the next big star. If you’re not all in, if you’re not fully present, you’re part of the problem. Simple as that. And with the series heading to Los Angeles right after Game 2, this next one feels even more important.
Michael Porter Jr. has a shot at flipping the script. The Nuggets have a shot at tightening their grip. But one thing’s for sure—Nikola Jokic isn’t letting anybody coast.
This is playoff time. And there’s no room for ghosts.
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