Nikola Jokic fouls out in third quarter as Denver Nuggets struggle in Game 2 vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Bad news for the Denver Nuggets. As they struggled to gain momentum in Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nikola Jokic was fouled out of the game. Jokic’s dismissal came out at a point when the team needed him most. The Nuggets trailed in chasing the Thunder’s mounting score, but Jokic was fouled out after his 32:18 minutes of play.It was not the best of times for the Denver Nuggets, as their standout star Nikola Jokic had to sit after fouling out.The Nuggets’ big man finished with 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting, hitting just 37.5% from the field. While he managed to knock down two of his four shots from beyond the arc and went 3-for-5 at the free-throw line, Jokic struggled to find rhythm offensively and turned the ball over six times.Despite the shooting woes, Jokic continued to contribute across the stat sheet. He pulled down eight rebounds— three offensive and five defensive— and dished out six assists. He also recorded one steal, showing flashes of his usual all-around game. However, his six personal fouls cut his night short and marked a rare early exit for the reigning MVP candidate. His final plus-minus of -36 highlighted just how tough the night was for Denver with him on the floor.Jokic’s uncharacteristic struggles were a major factor in the Nuggets’ loss, as his early foul trouble and limited impact left a noticeable gap on both ends. Denver will need him to bounce back in Game 3, especially if they hope to even the series against a hungry Thunder squad.The Thunder secured a stunning 149-106 win over the Nuggets.Interestingly, NBA legend Magic Johnson recently showered praise for Jokic, sharing his excitement to watch him play his best in the Game 2. “The Denver Nuggets are playing their best basketball of the season. First, they beat the Clippers in the first round Series then won Game 1 versus the Thunder,” he wrote on X.Johnson added, “Words can’t explain Nikola Jokic’s dominant performance vs. the Thunder! He had 42 points and 22 rebounds and thats just off the charts. Jokic keeps separating himself from all the other players in the league. The Nuggets also had great performances from Aaron Gordon who had 22 points, Jamal Murray with 21 points, and Westbrook went back home to OKC and scored 18 points off the bench. Can’t wait to see what happens tonight in Game 2!”Also Read: New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics (05/07): Box score, player stats, game summary and moreRegardless, it was a huge blow for the Nuggets, but the team will look to bounce back to reign over the Thunder.