The Sacramento Kings recently highlighted the ongoing trend of teams employing aggressive defensive schemes against Nikola Jokic. Despite battling an ankle injury, Jokic faced considerable physicality, leading to a rare game where his turnovers (7) outnumbered assists (6). Nuggets coach Michael Malone noted the Kings' strategy of using smaller defenders to limit Jokic's effectiveness, which visibly frustrated the star center throughout the game. The Nuggets managed to secure a 116-110 victory largely due to Jamal Murray's surprising 15 free throw attempts, as Jokic only visited the line six times.

This season, Jokic has managed to maintain composure despite increased pressure from opponents. Malone's previous ejection in a game against the Pistons was a calculated move to draw attention to how officials were allowing fouls against Jokic. Malone expressed concerns about the refereeing consistency, a sentiment echoed by Jokic, who is advocating for fairness in how fouls are called.

As the Nuggets continue to navigate these aggressive defenses, how they adapt to the physicality surrounding their star player will be crucial, particularly in tight playoff races.