Why Was Nikola Jokic On The Bench? 3x MVP’s ‘Death Stare’ In Game 6 Explained

A humiliating Game 6 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves shifted the spotlight on Nikola Jokic for unprecedented reasons. Despite the 3x MVP spending a significant portion of the game on the bench, his antics became the center of attention. However, while fans came up with some very interesting premises for why the Serb did what he did, as it turns out, the real reason was rather mundane.

In the press conference after the contest, he outlined his post-game workout routine as the primary driving force of his action.

“[I stood the entire fourth quarter] just to be warm so I can lift after [the game]”.

 

While the Denver Nuggets superstar may want to downplay his reasoning, he did wear a rather grim expression throughout the fourth quarter. This led to many believing that the Serb was giving the game a death stare of sorts while plotting his revenge ahead of Game 7. And given how competitive he has shown himself to be in the past, this is far from inconceivable.

Nikola Jokic didn’t sit down for a single second in the 4th quarter of last night’s Game 6 45-point loss against the Timberwolves

(via @HoHighlights / IG)pic.twitter.com/Ntb5wk0JnE

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 17, 2024

If this really is true, Anthony Edwards and Co. will need to watch out. As great as Minnesota has been so far, a motivated Nikola Jokic is not one that can be stopped. Instead, the Wolves will hope they can slow down the center just enough to try and win the game, something that could really go either way.

Both teams are now well aware of the threats they pose to each other. With the time for feeling each other out now having elapsed, who can outlast their opponent to book themself a place in the Western Conference Finals?