Nikola Jokic has had some exceptional last-second blocks that have even saved games for the Denver Nuggets. There is no better rim protector in Denver than Jokic. In that particular role, however, one cannot block 100% of the attempts taken at the rim. Therefore, a risk that comes with the job is getting posterized. Nevertheless, Jokic could probably never imagine he would face the signature dunk of Kobe Bryant.

However, against the Houston Rockets, Nikola Jokic got put on a poster using the same dunk that Kobe Bryant was famous for. David Nwaba drove in on the reigning MVP and slammed it home over his head. This happened during the New Year’s Day game between Houston and Denver.

Nikola Jokic and his clutch blocks

It’s a part of the job that Nikola Jokic gets put on a poster if he misses the block. However, Nikola has more often than not ended up destroying the hopes of the opposition. From Zion Williamson to Jae’Sean Tate, Jokic has ruined hopes to seal the game at the rim too many times in his exceptional career.

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The last time Nuggets faced the Houston Rockets, it was Jokic’s block that decided the game. So whoever said that defense doesn’t win games has definitely not seen Jokic play.

What does this mean for the Houston Rockets?

The Houston Rockets had a good start to this game where they went up by as much as 11 points in the first quarter itself. However, the Nuggets spun things quickly as halfway through the second quarter, Denver was up by 20 points. So what the Rockets witnessed was what most fans might describe as a classic collapse.

Other than Jalen Green‘s performance, the Rockets had almost nothing going for them in the first half. They ended the first half down by 22 points as Denver thrashed the Rockets 77-55 in the first half itself.

They started the game with Daniel Theis who had an exceptional game the last time he faced Nikola Jokic. Indeed, his presence worked well for the team until they subbed Christian Wood on for him. While they cannot blame Wood solely for this collapse, that moment was arguably the point where things changed for Houston.

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