Denver Nuggets head coach David Edelman continues to defend All-Star Nikola Jokic for his actions in the fourth quarter of last Friday's 127-121 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Edelman didn't care for Lou Dort's apology for drawing the flagrant-2 foul on Jokic. When Dort intentionally knocked down the MVP candidate in the backcourt by going over his injured left knee, Nikola was furious.
Edelman understands Jokic's frustration, having to deal with the physicality of opposing teams that run the line on dirty plays is enough for any player. lose one's temper According to the DNVR Nuggets, he said, in the heat of competition at a high level.
"It's not biased towards my own player. Nobody in the league is being guarded like he is. Nobody. Nobody is sitting on the knees of other MVPs. Nobody is taking shots the way he's taking them. But that's our reality," Edelman said. "And so, we've got to continue to try to win games. He's got to play through that physicality. I've got to find places on the court where he can play in space – that's on me. So, there [are] No excuse. If the whistle doesn't blow, it won't blow.
"The game continues. We will deal with it as long as we can. Also, I have no problem with his reaction. Like I said, reacting is part of being a human being. If this continues, we will react accordingly."
"No one in the league is being protected like he is. No one is taking a knee to another MVP. No one is taking shots the way he's taking them. But that's our reality."
Nuggets head coach David Edelman explained how to execute Nikola Jokic.
(via @DNVR_Nuggets)
pic.twitter.com/QahpHTOKrZ- ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 5 March 2026
After losing to the Thunder in overtime, the Nuggets suffered another loss at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves (117–108), but bounced back with a 128–125 win against the Utah Jazz.
David Edelman calls out Thunder for not reacting to Lu Dort
Nuggets head coach David Edelman was amazed by the Thunder's response to Lou Dort's blatant -2 foul on Nikola Jokic. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault expected the same result if the situation had been reversed, but he never condemned Dort for his actions. Lu's teammates chalked it up to a spur-of-the-moment play.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, for Edelman, Jocic losing his temper was justified due to the severity of Dort's foul.
"He's a more measured guy throughout the season — I think most guys are. If they're measured they're more productive. But there's a point where we play these games, and he tackles anybody on the night [would] React that way. For Dort to take that shot – and then I guess it was no big deal from his perspective, how he saw it – is ridiculous. He was malicious. It was a cheap shot.
"Lou Dort is a great player, and I haven't seen him do that before. But at some point, you have to stand up for yourself, and so does the team. They're a great team. That's what that game was. But, yeah, Nikola, that's who he is, man. You can't have the success that he's had and you can't be as competitive. He's got emotions inside of him that he keeps under control, but the guy is very capable and very willing to respond emotionally," Edelman said. Concluded.
The Nuggets will face the Thunder on Monday at Paycom Center.
