Containing Nikola Jokic is a nearly impossible task, as the three-time MVP can destroy opposing defenses with both his scoring and playmaking. However, through two games, the Minnesota Timberwolves are limiting Jokic as we've never seen before. This could ultimately help them pull off a first-round upset over the Denver Nuggets.Â
While Jokic is still averaging 24.5 points, he is shooting below 50 percent from the field, and nothing has looked easy for him.
First and foremost, Rudy Gobert has played exceptional one-on-one defense against Jokic. Notably, as the primary defender, Gobert is holding Jokic to 6-for-17 shooting from the field. Gobert's fourth quarter defense on Jokic in Minnesota's Game 2 win was especially stellar, as he held Jokic to 1-for-7 shooting! Jokic finished the night shooting 8-for-20 from the field -- you just don't see games like this from him much.
Frankly, nobody expected the Wolves to have this much success against Jokic, despite Gobert's elite defense. To be clear, Jokic could quickly turn things around, but right now the Wolves look like they have a solution for him that we've never seen before.
Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves are shockingly limiting Nikola Jokic
Gobert has done a tremendous job of mirroring Jokic and making everything difficult for him. Likewise, his verticality has forced Jokic into numerous difficult shots. Dealing with Jokic's physicality is a tough task, but Gobert has been unfazed by this style of play. Given his blend of size, IQ, and physicality, Gobert is the perfect one-on-one defender against Jokic.Â
While Gobert made life challenging for Jokic on the ball, the Wolves' defense has generally stayed home on Denver's shooters. So far, this has worked to perfection as the Nuggets are shooting just 32.5 percent from beyond the arc.Â
Oftentimes, when Gobert is on the court, Jokic isn't even looking to score. Incredibly, with Gobert on the court in Game 2, Jokic shot just 1-for-8 from the field, but when Gobert was off the court, Jokic shot 7-for-12 from the field.
This is undoubtedly a testament to Gobert's elite defense. Gobert struggled with foul trouble; if he didn't, though, this game would likely have been decided by a lot more than five points.Â
Another notable strategy has been that Gobert and the Wolves have been letting Jokic shoot from beyond the arc. Thus far, Jokic is just 3-for-14 from 3-point range. Jokic's lack of shooting has allowed Gobert to be in a better guarding position, which is the perfect counter for when Jokic inevitably tries to score inside.Â
It's also worth noting that the Wolves have attacked Jokic on the other end of the floor, making him work more on defense surely limits his energy.Â
Jaden McDaniels' superb on-ball defense on Jamal Murray, in tandem with Gobert's defense on Jokic, has limited the Jokic-Murray two-man game. Notably, Murray is shooting just 5-for-16 when guarded by McDaniels. In addition to Jokic's fourth quarter struggles, Murray shot just 1-for-5 from the field in the final stanza. Limiting Murray has further made things challenging for Jokic.Â
Now, Jokic is arguably the best player in the world, so he very well may figure out some counters and put together some great games in this series. It could be as simple as hitting his 3s. I don't want to discount the possibility of Jokic figuring things out.
However, right now, the Wolves look like they've found a sustainable recipe for making Jokic's life difficult on offense, and if this continues, the Wolves will be in a prime position to pull off an upset.
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