Nikola Jokic’s head coach Michael Malone confirm the retirement of two players…

Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic’s Western Conference Finals matchup was prevented when Minnesota defeated the reigning champion Denver in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Jokic’s remarks from earlier this season have come back to haunt Doncic as he attempts to reach his first NBA Finals appearance. The reigning MVP of the Finals nominated the Mavericks star as the player he would most like to see win an NBA championship this season.

Because of their strong friendship, Doncic selected Jokic, the teammate from the Western Conference, as the player he would most like to see win the championship this season should Denver fail to make a repeat.

Given the Nuggets’ elimination, it makes sense to believe that Jokic is rooting for Dallas to win the championship. It would have been great to play a series against Denver and Dallas, but Minnesota’s hard-fought victory in Game 7 away from home earned them a spot in the Western Conference Finals.