NBA fans are outraged by Nikola Jokic’s blood-soaked jersey caused by the Mavs players.
DALLAS — Russell Westbrook scored 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out seven assists, while Nikola Jokic added 19 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists as the Denver Nuggets mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Dallas Mavericks 112-101 on Sunday.
The Nuggets secured their 12th win in 17 games.
The Nuggets trailed by 19 points late in the third quarter and were down 12 points early in the fourth. They outscored the Mavericks 33-12 in the final quarter. After making only four of 25 three-point attempts in the first three quarters, Denver converted three of seven in the fourth, while the Mavericks missed all 11 of their three-point attempts in the period.
Klay Thompson led the Mavericks with 25 points. The team now has a 2-5 record in games without All-Star guard Luka Doncic (calf strain) and Kyrie Irving (back sprain). Thompson went scoreless on four attempts, all from beyond the arc, in the fourth quarter.
The Incident That Sparked the Outrage
The heated game between the Denver Nuggets and the Dallas Mavericks took a shocking turn when Nikola Jokic suffered a cut during a collision with a Mavericks player. The injury left blood dripping onto his jersey, creating a dramatic visual that spread quickly across social media.
Jokic, known for his composure and resilience on the court, continued to play despite the visible injury. However, the sight of the bloodied jersey drew ire from NBA fans who criticized the physicality of the Mavericks’ players, accusing them of unnecessary roughness.
Fan Reactions to the Bloodied Nikola Jokic
Fans took to Twitter and other platforms to express their anger. Many pointed fingers at the Dallas Mavericks, accusing them of overly physical tactics aimed at neutralizing Jokic’s dominant presence. “This is unacceptable,” one fan tweeted. “Jokic is the MVP, and this kind of aggression is a stain on the sport.”
The incident has also sparked debates about player safety in the NBA. With Jokic being one of the league’s marquee players, the visual of his bloodied jersey has amplified concerns about the physical toll on players during high-intensity games.
Key Takeaways from the Nuggets’ Performance
Nuggets: With a 23-15 record, they are now eight games over .500 for the first time this season and boast a 12-3 record when Jokic and Westbrook start together. Their three-point shooting percentage of 21.9% (7 of 32) was their lowest of the season. Aaron Gordon returned for the first time since Christmas, scoring 13 points on six of seven shooting with six rebounds in 18 minutes.
Mavericks: Luka Doncic, who finished third in MVP voting last season, is currently ineligible this season as of Sunday due to not meeting the minimum 65-game requirement for regular season participation.
The Pivotal Moment
With Mavericks center Dereck Lively II playing with five fouls, Nikola Jokic spun inside against forward PJ Washington to execute a finger-roll layup with 4:28 remaining. This gave the Nuggets a 99-96 lead, their first lead of more than one point.
Nikola Jokic’s Response
Despite the uproar, Nikola Jokic downplayed the incident in a post-game interview. “It’s just part of the game,” he said. “Sometimes things get physical, and you just have to keep playing.”
His calm response, however, hasn’t stopped fans and analysts from questioning whether stricter measures need to be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. Jokic’s ability to perform at a high level despite the injury only added to his growing legend as one of the toughest players in the league.
The incident, however, has left a lasting impression on fans and the broader NBA community. It serves as a reminder of the physical and emotional challenges faced by players at the highest level.
