Nikola Jokic criticized Nuggets fans who booed the team during an overtime victory over New Orleans on Saturday, per ESPN. The team heard from some unhappy fans while piling up a 23-point deficit.
“We got booed at our first home game, and I think those fans who booed us, they don’t need to come anymore,” Jokic said. “If you guys follow us, you know that we never quit and we’ve come back from much worse situations. So, if they ask me, they are not welcome anymore.”
Denver followed that up with a 20-point home loss to Golden State on Monday. The fans were more forgiving, but Jokic didn’t back down from his stance, according to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post.
“I think they are not real fans,” he said.
Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards is dealing with some right knee soreness but the team isn’t overly concerned about it, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski writes. “It’s a daily situation,” coach Chris Finch said. “I don’t think there’s any long-term concern.” Kraczynski notes Edwards always wants to play, mainly because he feels an obligation to his teammates and the fans to suit up as much as possible. He’s listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game vs. Golden State.
- Not only are Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace dealing with long-term injuries but the Thunder have several other regulars nursing injuries heading into their game against Dallas on Wednesday. Chet Holmgren will be out for the second straight contest due to knee patellar tendinitis and Alex Caruso is also out due to an ankle sprain, Rylan Stiles of Locked on Thunder tweets. Ajay Mitchellwho is also dealing with an ankle sprain, is listed as questionable,.
- Carlos Boozer, Cameron Boozer’s father and a longtime NBA player, was hoping the Jazz would draft his son. Instead, they opted for Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick. The elder Boozer, who did some scouting for the Jazz last season, doesn’t blame Utah’s brass for making that decision, Shreyas Laddha of the Salt Lake Tribune. “I think Darryn’s a great fit for the Jazz,” he said. “Obviously, we have Jaren Jackson, who’s Triple J, a phenomenal basketball player with size. We have Lauri Markkanenwho’s a phenomenal player with size. … I was hoping in my heart that Cam could come play in Utah. I know Utah would love Cam being a part of it, but I think fit-wise, he fits way better in Memphis because they needed a player like him in Memphis.”