Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon comes to Nikola Jokic’s defense after star fouls out: ‘They are fouling him’

OKLAHOMA CITY — With frustration and anger.

That is how Aaron Gordon reacted to Nikola Jokic fouling out in the third period for the first time in his career. That it came in Game 2 of the second round against the top-seeded Thunder made it even more exasperating.

“They are calling the second foul almost all of the time. They are fouling Joker first. You know Jok is reactionary and they do get the second guy a lot of the times. But they are fouling him throughout the game — point blank. Period,”  Gordon said as the locker room emptied out on Wednesday night. “And it’s a thing you can’t call every foul because you would be calling a foul every single play. But they are fouling him. They are a handsy team.”

No Nuggets player blamed the officiating for their embarrassing 149-106 loss, an outcome that was decided midway through an uninspired first quarter. However, the physicality — a storyline throughout the playoffs — is officially part of this series’ narrative.

Jokic has 11 fouls in two games. Conversely, he has only attempted 19 free throws, including five on Wednesday. His week in Oklahoma City was a blend of celebrating an improbable victory and pleading his case with officials with his voice hoarse and palms up.

After the Game 2 loss, he downplayed the Thunder’s style of play, which features running multiple bodies at him, most notably smaller guards.

“You just try to fight through it with positioning the best that you can and deal with the consequences,” said Jokic, who scored 17 points before exiting with 1:17 remaining in the third.

Given the nature of his final hip check, it raised the question: Did Jokic purposely foul out, given the 41-point deficit as a final stamp on a forgettable night?

“No, I wanted to set a good screen for Jamal (Murray) because there was some physical hands on him, and it happens, you know,” he said.