Malone Voices Concern For Nuggets' Performance Despite Jokic's Triple-Double Achievement

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Michael Malone expressed concern over the Denver Nuggets' recent performance following their 126-114 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite Nikola Jokic achieving a triple-double, Denver's record now stands at 11-9, with five losses in their last six games. Jokic's impressive stats of 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists have moved him to third place on the all-time triple-doubles list, surpassing Magic Johnson.

Malone acknowledged Jokic's talent but is more worried about the team's overall form. "We just got our butts kicked," Malone stated. He praised Jokic as one of the best players but emphasized his concerns about the team's current state. "It's not so much that we lost tonight. I knew coming in here would be a tall order. I just don't like how we lost and there is a big difference."

Malone is cautious about over-relying on Jokic, stating, "We've all got to make sure we don't run him into the ground." Meanwhile, Jokic himself downplayed his achievement, saying it's something to reflect on after retirement. "It's something that you're probably going to look at after you finish your career. Right now, you don't even think about it. But it's a great thing. It's really nice," he remarked.

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 28 points as they improved their home record to 13-1 this season. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson praised his team for managing Jokic despite his high score. "That's a hard team to slow down," Atkinson noted, highlighting their strategy against Jokic's playmaking abilities.

Atkinson explained that limiting Jokic's assists was crucial: "We made [Jokic] work, get his efficiency down. When Jokic kills you is when he has those 15, 17 assist games." Although they couldn't stop him from scoring heavily, they focused on reducing his impact in other areas.

The Cavaliers' ability to adapt in the second half was evident as they improved defensively against Denver's transition game. This adaptability contributed significantly to their victory and showcased their strength at home this season.