- Kevin Durant called Nikola Jokic “one of the top 10, five players” he’s ever seen after Houston beat Denver 115-101.
- Durant praised Jokic’s mentality and work ethic despite Jokic having an off night by his standards.
- Jokic finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists; Durant had 31 points, six rebounds and five assists.
- The matchup highlights a budding rivalry between two Western Conference contenders.
Durant praises Nikola Jokic after gritty Rockets win
Kevin Durant publicly applauded Nikola Jokic after the Houston Rockets handed the Denver Nuggets a 115-101 loss on the road. Durant — who finished the game with 31 points, six rebounds and five assists while shooting 8-for-14 and 5-for-6 from three — joked and then stated seriously that Jokic is “one of the top 10 players, five players that I’ve ever seen play basketball.” He added that the pair share a “similar mentality” when it comes to how they approach the game.
Game snapshot: Stats and impact
Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP, produced 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists but struggled at times, shooting 9-for-20 with five turnovers and picking up five fouls. Despite the numbers, Jokic wasn’t at his usual efficiency, and Denver’s offense was held to 101 points.
Durant’s energy and long-range shooting helped Houston secure the win. The result dropped Denver to third in the Western Conference at 20-7, while Houston improved to 17-8 and remains in the thick of the playoff picture.
Why Jokic had difficulties vs Houston
Part of Jokic’s uneven night was matchup-based. Houston features two big bodies on the interior in Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams, with Clint Capela available off the bench. Combined with length from the likes of Jabari Smith Jr. and Durant’s weak-side deterrence, Jokic has been forced into tougher looks.
Across three games this season versus Houston, Jokic’s overall numbers remain strong but show signs of strain: the story cited him shooting 49.7% from the field, 55.5% from three, and 78.5% from the line in those matchups, while averaging 4.6 turnovers and 5.3 fouls per game.
Respect between elite players
Durant has a history of recognizing excellence in his peers. Calling Jokic one of the best he’s seen underscores the Serbian center’s status among the modern greats — especially notable in an era dominated by players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Durant himself.
Durant framed his praise around mindset more than box score: “I love how he approaches the game… we have a similar mentality in how we approach work.” That respect stands even after heated on-court moments between the two in recent matchups.
What this means for the West
The matchup hints at a growing rivalry between Houston and Denver at the top of the Western Conference. Both teams look poised for a long run in the standings, and matchups between Durant and Jokic will be must-watch games as the season progresses.
Image Referance: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/one-top-5-kevin-durant-230557728.html
