Add winning a coach’s challenge to the very short list of things that can get Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic fired up.
Jokic displayed about as much emotion as he’s ever shown on an NBA floor during the Nuggets’ Tuesday clash against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo.
The Nuggets were trailing 96-90 and were in the midst of a fourth quarter comeback with just over five minutes left in the game.
Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon delivered a bounce pass to Jokic that went out of bounds along the baseline. The referees initially called it off Jokic, which sent the Serbian center into a rage as he demanded Nuggets coach Michael Malone challenge the call.
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The Nuggets ended up winning the challenge after the ball was determined to be off Suns wing Royce O’Neale. It’s hard to imagine Jokic anticipated any other result given how animated he got while requesting the challenge.
After trailing by 22 points at the half, the Nuggets managed to complete the comeback and force overtime. But with eight baskets in the overtime quarter, Kevin Durant took over and the Suns won 117-107.
Jokic finished with 16 rebounds, 5 assists, and 25 points on 8/18 shooting from the field. However, he also committed a game-high seven turnovers, which made up half of his team’s total points.
This season is not the first that the normally composed Jokic has allowed his feelings to get the better of him. Earlier this year, after scoring the game-winning shot against the Golden State Warriors, the Nuggets star had an unforgettable celebration.