In 2020, Nikola Jokic delivered one of the most iconic performances in NBA history when he led the Denver Nuggets to a stunning Game 7 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers after coming back from a 3-1 series deficit. That game was a testament to Jokic’s resilience—he was relentless, recording a triple-double to help propel his team into the next round. Fast forward to the 2025 playoffs, and Jokic was back at it again, staring down the Clippers in another do-or-die Game 7.

Game 7 of the 2025 playoffs saw the Nuggets take control with a dominant 120-101 win over the Clippers. While Nikola Jokic posted 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, it was his teammates who stole the spotlight. Aaron Gordon led with 22 points, followed by Christian Braun (21), Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook (16 each), and Michael Porter Jr. (15). The Nuggets went on a crushing 17-0 run in the third quarter, leaving the Clippers scrambling. It was a team effort that showcased Denver’s depth and resilience, securing their place in the next round.

But before Game 7, speaking on the Inside the NBA, Charles Barkley didn’t hold back when discussing David Adelman’s plan to manage Nikola Jokić’s minutes. Barkley warned, “Coach Adam’s got to be very careful with—he talked about trying to get guys rest. The score’s going to dictate who gets rest. He can’t just—you know, Joker’s been in there a while, and like if they’re down 10, he can’t rest. He’s got to stay in the game. So the score would dictate that.” Barkley then offered insight on how he’d approach defending Jokić. Charles said, “I’ve always said this—if I played against Denver, I would never double the Joker ever because he’d rather have 12 assists than 40 points… when he gets 28 and he has 15 assists, the Nuggets are probably gonna win the game. I would never double him. He’s so great.” Kenny Smith, though, pushed back on the idea of letting Jokić play freely in single coverage.

Instead, Kenny Smith highlighted the physical toll Jokić can put on a defense if left unchecked. “If you don’t double the Joker,” Smith said, “he’s not the type of guy that stays on a three-point line. He might foul your whole team out.” For Kenny, it’s not just about stopping points—it’s about controlling the chaos Jokić creates inside the paint.

Shaquille O’Neal, meanwhile, wasn’t sold on Adelman’s call for Jokić to launch more threes. “If I am the Joker, I’m making sure they double me. I don’t like Coach Adelman’s plan. Let it go from three? No. Get inside.” Shaq emphasized what makes Jokić dangerous: his ability to dominate the game from the post. “Even though you can hit the three, you’re very special when you’re getting the ball. When you’re aggressive like this, they’re going to panic. Since it’s in your hands, I say be aggressive.”

The context lies in Adelman’s approach to managing his star players, particularly Jokic. Adelman’s focus isn’t just on Jokic’s shooting—it’s about managing minutes. He knows his core players—Jokic, Murray, Gordon, Braun, and Porter—are logging heavy minutes, and fatigue can become a real factor in these high-pressure games. That’s why he’s planning early substitutions, giving his stars some rest early on, so they can be fresh and effective when it counts in the fourth quarter. It’s all about ensuring they have the energy to close out games strong. Did it happen how he wanted?

Not just stats—Nikola Jokić’s game IQ on full display

“I [referring to Jokic] had a bad first half—come out and dominate.” That was O’Neal’s challenge to Jokić after the Nuggets’ Game 5 win over the Clippers—a night where Jamal Murray stole the show with a 43-point explosion. While Murray lit up the scoreboard, Jokić had what some called a “quiet” triple-double: 13 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds. But for Shaq, it wasn’t enough. “You see the Joker, who’s the best player on the team—not even playing great,” Shaq said on Inside the NBA. “When you’re one of the ‘1-2 punch’ and you know what’s at stake, you don’t stay passive. You come out in the second half and dominate.”

Barkley wasn’t having it. He pushed back hard, pointing out that Jokić’s impact went beyond points. “That’s why he’s one of the greatest. You don’t have to score to make an impact,” Chuck argued. Jokić, after all, had been orchestrating the offense, setting teammates up, and pulling double-digit rebounds. But Shaq doubled down. “Yes, you do. Stop it,” he snapped, dismissing Barkley’s defense and emphasizing that great players need to take over games—not just facilitate.

The debate between Shaq and Chuck isn’t just another playful argument—it touches on a bigger question in basketball: What truly defines greatness? Looking at Jokić’s 2025 playoff performance, it’s clear that he’s been nothing short of phenomenal. Despite some early struggles, he posted four triple-doubles in the series, including a 24-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist effort in Game 7, clinching a crucial win for the Nuggets. That was also his 22nd career playoff triple-double, placing him just behind Magic Johnson (30) and LeBron James (30+) on the all-time list. Jokić’s first two triple-doubles in the series came in losses, and that’s part of what triggered Shaq’s critique—suggesting that those performances weren’t impactful enough. But his true dominance showed when it mattered most—leading the charge in Games 6 and 7 with game-changing decisions and clutch performances that propelled the Nuggets to the next round.

As the Nuggets head into Round 2, all eyes will be on Jokić to see if he can keep silencing critics with his all-around brilliance. If this series proved anything, it’s that the Joker doesn’t need to shout—he lets his game do the talking. And with Denver finding its rhythm, the West better be ready.