The Denver Nuggets are now one win away from sending the Clippers packing in the first round, and while Jamal Murray’s 43-point flamethrower of a performance stole the headlines, it was Nikola Jokic’s post-game comment that had fans doing a double-take—and a chuckle.

After the Nuggets’ 131-115 Game 5 win, reporters asked Jokic about the locker room message from interim head coach David Adelman. Jokic’s response? “I don’t remember. I had my nephew here, so I just wanted to ask.” Classic Joker! In the middle of a pivotal playoff moment, with a crowd of reporters waiting for insight into the Nuggets’ mindset heading into Game 6, Jokic was too busy being Uncle Nikola. Who cares about X’s and O’s when your nephew is in town?

Even though Nikola Jokic finished with just 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting—his lowest field goal total in a playoff game since 2019—the Nuggets were rolling. He still posted a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. You know, just your average quiet night for a three-time MVP.

And that’s the terrifying part if you’re the Clippers. “It was not my night… I’m going to try to do whatever I need to do to win the game,” Jokic said post-game. “Everybody needs to accept that. If it’s not your night, do whatever you need to do to win.”

That’s exactly what he did. Jokic used his gravity to open up the floor. He let Jamal Murray cook. He found Russell Westbrook in his hot zones. He ran the offense like a 7-foot Steve Nash, and despite Ivica Zubac’s surprisingly effective defense, Jokic still bent the game to his will, without having to dominate it directly.

Clippers Won the Jokic Battle… But Lost the War

Let’s be real—Ty Lue and the Clippers actually did a solid job containing Jokic as a scorer. Zubac stayed attached, the Clippers sent blitzes, they clogged the paint, and forced Jokic into uncomfortable looks. And for once, it kind of worked. His 13 points were a playoff anomaly. The defense frustrated him. His usual ballet in the post was cut short by physicality and switches.

But… it didn’t matter.

Jamal Murray exploded for 43. Russell Westbrook lit it up for 21. The Nuggets shot lights out from deep. Jokic might’ve lost the scoring duel, but he won the chess match. “Holding Joker to 13 points and losing the game is tough,” Ty Lue said after the loss. “But that’s how he beats you.”

No lies detected.

Now, back to the post-game moment everyone’s talking about. Instead of the usual vague soundbite about “staying locked in” or “respecting the opponent,” dude said he didn’t remember a single thing! While that’s vintage Jokic, it’s also a reminder of why his teammates love him. The guy can dissect double teams like a surgeon, but at heart, he’s still just a big softie who lights up around his family.

The Serbian big man did eventually note that the team understands what’s coming next: “It’s nice. Enjoy it, and we need to know that in LA it’s going to be really, really tough to play.” So yeah, even if he missed the big speech, he got the message loud and clear.

The Clippers now face elimination. Despite Zubac’s career-high 27 and Kawhi Leonard’s near-triple-double, they’ve dropped back-to-back games and look completely out of sync. James Harden has gone ghost mode—both on the court and in the media room. They’ve tried everything to contain Jokic… and failed. Even when they succeed, like in Game 5, the Nuggets’ depth just picks up the slack.

Game 6 at the Intuit Dome tips off Thursday night. But unless the Clippers find a way to shut down everyone, not just Nikola Jokic, they’ll be watching Round 2 from their couches.

Nikola Jokic doesn’t need to dominate the scoreboard to dominate the series. Whether he’s posting a triple-double, leading the offense like a point guard, or getting distracted by his adorable nephew post-game, ‘The Joker’ is always the center of gravity. The Clippers might think they’ve figured him out—but unless they find a way to stop the other guys too, this series is as good as over.