Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon Talk Game 7 Loss vs. OKC | 2025 NBA Playoffs

Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon Talk Game 7 Loss vs. OKC | 2025 NBA Playoffs

Joker, I know it just happened. You’re still processing, but what are some of your early takeaways from this game and this series as a whole for you guys? I mean, this game was basically similar to second game. Uh, we turned the ball over. Uh, we didn’t uh make we didn’t make enough shots. Uh, uh, they were aggressive. They they were running uh, they were running um, into position. They were attacking our back. Uh, they were playing on our heels. um they were attacking the offensive glass, they were making shots, you know, two two same officials as the second game. So, it’s kind of similar to the second game. Nicole, do you walk do you leave this series feeling like you guys are still close to being able to win another championship or what what are your thoughts after two game sevens? And I know you dealt with health issues, not you, but Aaron and Michael. Do you feel like this team could still win a championship as it’s put together now? Uh I mean, we didn’t. So, Obviously, we can’t uh if we if we if we could, we will win it. So, um I don’t believe in those if if stuff. So, we had the opportunity. We didn’t we didn’t uh we didn’t win it. So, I think we can’t. Your impressions and your appreciation for what Aaron Gordon did today to get on the court for you guys? Yes. Yes. I mean definitely playing with that playing with that injury. I mean I told him to not play uh uh you know you can you can you can injure yourself even worse. Uh you can see that he was struggling a little bit you know hard to move and this and that. So um but he he’s he’s alive he’s he went out there and fight with us and uh we can just appreciate that. Uh, Nicole, what can you, you know, coming into this series? Obviously, a big um, you know, storyline in it was, you know, the match up between you and, you know, SGA and, you know, you guys being some of the two of the top MVP candidates this year after a seven game series with him, what would you just say about the respect you might have earned for him or um, just the your approach and, you know, what you think about, you know, Shay and the season that he’s had, you know, in I mean, it’s amazing. You know, we played we played uh, so how many? Four and seven games. So, 11 times we played this season. Actually, I think we played Did you play preseason too one time? Yeah. So, we played like a lot of times, you know, we saw him a lot of times and he he’s a special player, you know, his uh his uh shot selection, his shots capability of making his own making his own shots separation, playing his rhythm, you know, defensively. He he was like always stealing the balls, always blocking shots, you know, he’s he’s like a little little I don’t know how to say like a little p punter out there. He’s like always he was always there, you know. So he’s uh he he’s a special play player. Uh obviously David Adam was put in a very unique situation with a few games left in the season. What do you think about the job that he did uh since moving over to head coach and and the potential for him to be in that role on a permanent basis? I mean I you know it’s really like you said it’s a tough tough tough spot to be you have like he had three three games to change something and I think he I think he changed energy. I think he I think uh the guys were uh woken up a little bit. The guys were had more energy. He uh he made us believe in something and we we we played good you know we we played seven seven game series with the probably the best team in NBA and uh we we had opportunity we had chances chances so you know I think he did a really good job and as far as the future goes for him I’m not I’m not the guy to add I mean, it’s not it’s it’s above my pay grade. Nicola, um, the Thunder, they’re they tried to make a point to wear you guys down with their depth throughout this series. You guys were obviously playing a shorter rotation for most of it. Maybe this is above your pay grade, too. But, but as far as depth, what do you sort of think this team needs most um going forward? Uh like you said it’s about my but yes we definitely need a uh probably I think we played so long for such so so long such a way and you know it’s hard for the guys to step up and uh especially play especially against really two really good teams Clippers and and and and OKC you know we cannot ask for somebody who didn’t play maybe I don’t know 20 30 games to jump in and like be good and like expect him to be good you know but like Julian step He was good good you know Payton he was in a rotation but you know he’s he had some good minutes too. So uh definitely seems like the teams that has a longer rotation, longer bench, it’s uh it’s the one who are winning the Indiana uh what’s the name? Uh OKC so Minnesota Nola on the flip side of that you talk about you know OKC’s depth and you know how deep they are and obviously they’re one of the historic defenses that we’ve seen uh in recent memory. uh going against them in a seven game series. How would you say now uh you assess them and um you know before the series and you know what has been your biggest takeaway against going against the the deep group of guys like that that can defend? And it’s versatility, you know, it’s they can put a lot of guys on a lot of uh a lot of good defenders and a lot of uh good offensive players and still like have um uh they are so aggressive. They’re so handsy. Even when you go by them, Chad or or Isaiah is there. Uh their attacking passing lane is really good. Uh they’re into the ball. I like to say they they always their hand is always on the ball, always like follow the ball and it’s really hard to make a straight pass. It’s even when you pass the ball, it’s not on on the on the shooting pocket. And maybe that’s why that’s why that’s why the reason it’s uh they always contesting the shots, they always boxing out. You know, they’re well taught, they’re well coached team, and uh that’s why they they’re doing this what they’re doing. Nicole, what are you most proud of in terms of what this team was able to accomplish this season? And then what are you most proud of individually that you were able to accomplish? Uh as a team I think it was uh probably probably playoffs. You know I think everybody even in the first round they they they thought the Clippers going to beat us and uh we we found a way to like I said we always find a way except tonight you know we we found a way to win a game. we will find a way to win the series, you know, and today maybe was was not the case, but in season in global, I think that was the that was the maybe description of this team. Like we always find a way uh and u that’s why I’m proud of it. Uh individually, I don’t know. It was uh it was a good season. It was um I stayed healthy. I’m I’m really thankful for that. Uh, I mean it’s I mean I put a lot of effort in it so I’m kind of yeah I’m thankful but I know like what’s what’s my routine and what I need to do. So um I I trust what I’m uh what I’m doing and it seems it’s working well for me. How will this offseason be different for you? Just I mean playing in the Olympics clearly didn’t bother you too much in terms of a production standpoint this season. How how will this offseason be different? I I think I think Olympus make me even better you know playing with with a country playing with different rules but it’s not really different uh playing with different players uh I think it made me made me even better you know I think um I need to decide or there is a Euro basket the European Championship I need to decide that uh I need to talk with the with the coaches and with some of the main players let’s say like that and uh we will see you know but from now like next couple days it’s going to a lot of beer probably. Thank you. Jamal, obviously frustrated with the result. What are some of the things that are going through your head as you think about this game, this series? Uh what could have been what was? Uh a lot to be honest. Um I thought it was a very competitive series. Um it was really fun to be honest the all seven games. Um we just didn’t bring our best tonight. you know, I thought some turnovers, spacing, um guys trying to, you know, make the right play with each other, but it was two guys trying to do the same thing or, you know, just on top of each other, which, you know, they’re such a good defensive team and they pack the paint. You know, we got to allow each other to, you know, give or allow each other have space to do whatever the hell we’re trying to do or create on offense. So, I just thought uh that compounded crowd was into it. Um, and you know, we just didn’t play our best. So, uh, it’s it’s frustrating. Um, I mean, I could go on, but obviously the very unique season for you guys, you know, with the changes made late in the year, what do you think about the job that Iman did, uh, you know, given the circumstances and and the possibilities of him having the interim title removed? Yeah, I think he did a great job, you know, considering everything and just, uh, you know, how we had to stay together. Um um the different schemes that we came up with, you know, uh AG battling through everything, you know, Yoke battling through everything, uh the bench stepping up. Um you know, I just thought, you know, all in all, you know, I think guys did just staying with it and keeping a positive attitude and believing in what we can do. Um played 14 games and we came up short on the last one. Um, so like I said, I’m frustrated and everything, but uh, you know, there’s a lot to take away from the last, you know, six, seven weeks or so. So, um, just got to keep in my head, stay positive and and and look forward to the next couple months of, uh, taking some rest and then getting back to it. You know what I’m saying? So, you know, we’ll be fine. What do you think about what AG was able to give you guys today? He gave us more than we I think we all could ask for. You know, I played through a grade one calf strain last year and he played through a grade two hamstring. So, I mean, a hamstring is no joke. You know, I could I could see him limping out there and we went zone a little more just to have just to be able to have him out there and, you know, we had a lot going on, but just I mean, his toughness, his mental toughness to be able to play through that and give us what he did and um stick to it. You know, I think it was a lot it was a lot for him to handle and, you know, he did a great job. So, shout out to AG for just battling and um and and um being present today. Jamal, two things. First, that just from where the season was, is there any pride with with what you guys have been able to accomplish from from the point you were at where people are losing their jobs to take a team like this to seven or is it kind of just more the frustration in the moment, I guess? Yeah, I mean, like I just said, a lot to take away um from the last six, seven weeks. Uh we stayed with it. We had to, you know, figure it out some call some audibles. Um, but you know, like I said, we had a long journey just to get to this point. Um, I’m proud of the uh the belief that we had um the positivity that we had. Um, the guys staying together, guys were more vocal. You know, even guys that weren’t playing, they were more vocal. So, a lot of good takeaways, but uh came up short tonight and that’s the most frustrating part. And and then two years removed from the championship, just what is your confidence that that this core group can can still win another title? 100%. Just came up short tonight. um get back in the gym and and get back to it for next year. Uh Jamal, after you obviously a seven game series with a team that, you know, a lot a lot of people consider, you know, one of the, you know, best teams that have been assembled in recent memory. Uh what can you just say about you know the the outlook of that team and the depth and some of the the the issues that they might have caused you or you guys as a as a collective with their depth and everything. Just what is your biggest takeaway about you know that team across the hall from us? Uh young active R to be honest, playing seven games against M, just playing AU. It’s like a AU tournament out there, you know. Everybody’s young, athletic, flying around. Um, playing, we’re playing half court trap, you know, like everybody’s flying in for rebounds, fast breaks are going up back and forth. So, that’s the most thing I can remind. It’s a young talented group that, you know, has a lot lot to offer. And I think their best quality is just defensively. um you know how physical are you know um obviously they get away with a lot but it leads into how they play and the identity that they create so um they have a lot of potential for sure. Jamal, I know you just said you believe in this core, but given that you had a change in the head coach, you change in the GM, is this off seasonason feel different, like there might be changes more than in the past where it was pretty easy to say, let’s run it back because you’re coming off a championship. Is there thought that there might be more changes this off season to either the core or this roster as you try to get to a championship? I just focus on what I can do out there. You know, I I look at, you know, the the shots that I had, the created looks that I had, um, and how I can help this team win. You know, that’s above that’s above what I my pay grade. I I just do what I have to do out there and focus on that on that. It’s a question for another person. Jamal, can you speak on how difficult it is to get through the grueling 82 game regular season and a postseason while remaining healthy and how much pride this group takes in playing for each other despite dealing with nagging injuries? Yeah, I mean, everybody was kind of going through something leading up today, but you know, uh we had plenty of chances. Uh we fought to get to this point. Uh we believe we could do it. uh just you know sometimes it doesn’t go your way and the other team played had a better night tonight. Tonight was their night. Um but we we you know even when uh people doubted us you know we we bounced back and showed them what we were capable of. Um and then when they continued doubt us we did it again. You know what I’m saying? So uh I’m proud of the group man. I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish. Uh everything we battled through uh everybody individually. Um so there’s a lot like I said a lot to take away but uh we came up short. Appreciate it. I was pretty sure I was going to play. It’s just been recovery basically. 36 hours, 48 hours of recovery. Uh everything that I could possibly do, hot, cold, contrast, massage, hyperaric, everything that I could possibly do. So, just so I could be out there and fight for my team. How much did you feel it when you were out there fighting for your team? Uh, not much much. Uh, I just wish I would have played better. Aaron, it’s early cuz it’s just ended, but how do you look at this run in the idea that you had a coaching change, a GM with three games left, you were underdogs against the Clippers and win in seven and take what most people think is the best team in the league to seven. So, is it disappointment or is it, you know, some pride over how you guys were able to kind of recover from the way the season ended? Obviously, there’s mixed emotions there. Um, but I’m proud of my guys. I’m proud of our our team. I’m proud of our organization. Um and and of our squad. I think we fought very hard. Uh gave ourselves a chance to beat the number one seed. Um yeah, I’m I’m proud of us. Aaron, kind of building on that, where’s just the confidence that this core kind of is currently constructed can can achieve what you guys are out to achieve the next couple years? Absolutely. Um confidence doesn’t waver. Uh a couple plays here or there could have changed the series. Um, yeah, my confidence doesn’t waver, bro. I have full confidence in everybody in that locker room that we can uh do what we need to do and get it done. Aaron, what would you say? You know, obviously facing off against seven game series with a team like that, you know, historically one of the best defenses uh that we’ve seen in recent memory. What would you say has been your biggest takeaway, you know, playing against them and some of the things that they do that kind of make things, you know, tough to to navigate through? Uh, I mean, they got a squad. Um, they’re very interchangeable. Uh, they got a lot of, uh, uh, pesky defenders. Um, and, um, they’re well coached. Uh, so yeah. Aaron, you played for coach Adam for the last 17 games. What are your impressions and how did you like playing for him? I love DA. I hope he’s here next year. I hope he’s our coach. I hope he gets an entire training camp. Um and and in a whole offseason and a whole training camp to figure out uh his philosophy, you know. Um DA in Orlando. We have DA here. Um DA is great. Uh he was excellent for us and I hope that he’s here next year. Aaron, uh, what what I don’t want to say changes, but what do you guys need to do in order to get back to the top of the mountain? Um, well, I think in this game specifically, uh, personally, I think I was more focused on the refs than I was on the actual game. And uh so I think um just narrowing our focus to what needs to be done and what needs to be accomplished. Um health is a lot, you know. Um I would really really appreciate it if uh there were a couple of days in between games in the playoffs instead of every other day regardless if you go seven games. You know, I understand if you do your work early and you get first seed, then you can have some time off, but um I think uh the days in between games, not just off day and a travel day, but a travel day and a recovery day, just two just two days. I think uh the product of the game would be a lot better. I think there’d be a um yeah, just a better product on the floor just to give all these professional athletes just, you know, one more day of rest and you would see a higher level of basketball, probably less blowouts. Aaron, why’d you say yes? Like what was the determining factor and and what did you fight through today? Oh, I I never said no. You know, there was never a doubt in my mind that I wasn’t going to play today. Um the only thing that made me doubt playing was the MRI. You know, the MRI told me something um worse than what I was feeling. And um I know you and and Michael are close. How have you guys leaned on each other this season and obviously he’s dealt with a lot of uh he could use those extra days as well. Absolut man. Absolutely. I think everybody could. I mean, you saw you saw it around the league like Steph with the hamstring, you know what I mean? JT, man. Big respect to Jason Tatum, man. I hope he gets better quick. Um, I mean, there’s guys like Dame, you know, there’s guys all around the league that are just like, you know, uh, suffering just like fatigue based injuries. Um, because the games are so closely stacked together. Um, and yeah, it would just be nice uh for just one or two more rest days um throughout the offseason or throughout the postseason uh just so we can come back fresh and compete cuz a lot of the times um it’s the team that’s most healthy. You know, some not even the best team, it’s the team that’s most most healthy. And I think um what I tried to talk to MPJ about is just rest your mind, rest your body, um relax, and then when it’s time to get back to training, refocus and narrow your focus and understand what the goal is. When you saw the MRI, how much concern did you have about making the injury worse and knowing what that might mean? Obviously, I knew the risks. Um, you know, unfortunately, uh, injuries are part of the game, so I knew the risks. Um, but I wanted to be that out there for my team. And then, you know, there were times like transition, obviously, you couldn’t looked like you just couldn’t get in that uh gear that you usually, you know, h how did you feel like you were limited today? I couldn’t sprint. That was tough. Tough. Um, I was trying to play a real old man game. Um, yeah. Yeah. Anytime I tried to sprint, it was going to just probably be a lot worse. Uh, I gave them all. You were in the room with the fellas. You went through the battles with them all year long. Do you feel like this group got stale before the change? And what did you find in the last month that you’ll cherish or you can use going forward as a group? [Music] Um yeah, I mean uh the game is great. Uh obviously um playing is amazing. Um, but really what makes it special is just being around a high character group of people and the interactions um and the memories that you make and share with a great group of guys. Um, so uh the staleness I’m not entirely sure. Um, you know, it’s still fresh. uh haven’t been able to digest kind of the totality of the season, but um yeah, just give me a couple of days and maybe I’ll be able to answer that. But it’s it’s a great group of guys. I’m excited um for the future of this organization. Aaron, by playing today, were you basically playing to get the team through the next round knowing would you have been able to play in the next round or was this kind of a one-off to get through this and say, you know what, that was probably it cuz you’re going to have to rest it. Was probably it. um at least for two or three games into into the next round. So I was say maybe I can get through this one and then rest a little bit and come back later in the next series. Okay. What with everything that you went through last summer leading up to this season, what and the improvements that you made on the floor, what are you most proud of that you did this season and and as the team too? What are you most proud of the team with? Uh, you know, uh, I guess just, um, being able to compete for the first time without my brother by my side. I know he was with me and I know he’s staying with me, but, uh, I think just even coming out here and just competing is is something in its own right. Uh, so, [Music] um, yeah. Thank you, sir. [Music]

Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon’s postgame press conferences after the Denver Nuggets loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

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