The Golden State Warriors eliminated the Denver Nuggets with a 102-98 victory on Wednesday night. Following a hard-fought five-game series, Draymond Green paid respect to Nikola Jokic.
Green and Jokic embraced on the court after Golden State’s series-clinching win. When asked about the moment during his post-game press conference, via NBC Sports, the Warriors forward revealed what he told the Nuggets superstar.
“I just told him, ‘Thank you for making me better,’” Green said. “It’s absolutely incredible to play against a guy like that. Incredible, incredible talent. So ‘Thank you for making me better.’ It’s an honor and pleasure to play against someone so talented and so skilled. And usually when you have guys that talented and that skilled, they are a little soft. He’s far, far from soft. He’s an absolutely incredible player.”
Draymond’s message to Jokić: “Thank you for making me better” pic.twitter.com/zXw0ZwLmH5
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 28, 2022
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Jokic also showed admiration to Green. Per The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, Jokic credited the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year as Golden State’s “glue guy” who “needs to do everything.”
“He’s a great guy,” Jokic said of Green. “You can hear him talk nonstop on defense. He’s actually their eyes and ears. Amazing player. I really appreciate our matchup.”
“I really appreciate our matchup,” Nikola Jokic said of playing against Draymond Green. He called Green the Warriors’ “eyes and their ears. Amazing player.”
“To be honest, he’s stopped much better offensive players than me through his career.”
Jokic’s full quote👇 pic.twitter.com/Ovrxpqcupv
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) April 28, 2022
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Although Denver fell short against a rejuvenated Warriors squad, Jokic did everything he could to keep his team alive. The defending MVP, who’s a finalist for this year’s award, averaged 31.0 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.6 steals throughout the first-round series.
After scoring 37 points in Denver’s lone win, Jokic went 12-of-18 with 30 points, 19 boards, and eight assists Wednesday night.
Having endured the difficult matchup, Green and the Warriors will face either the Memphis Grizzlies or Minnesota Timberwolves in the next round. Up 3-2, Memphis can advance on the road Friday night.
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