In Game 4 of their first-round playoff series, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets took on the Los Angeles Lakers (in California) on Saturday night.

With a 119-108 loss, the Nuggets’ series record is currently 3-1, with Denver still leading.

Jokic had a fantastic game in 39 minutes of action, scoring 33 points, pulling down 14 rebounds, dishing out 14 assists, blocking one shot, and hitting 2/5 from three goals distance despite the loss.

The two-time MVP met with the media following the game, and one of his remarks gained a lot of traction on social media (via the NBA).

Jokic: “Of course we want to win. But I learned in horse racing it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. We didn’t finish today really well, hopefully we can do a better job.”

With averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in 79 games while shooting 58.3% from the field and 35.9% from three-point range, Jokic had another fantastic regular season.

He will have a great opportunity to capture his third MVP Award.

The series’ fifth game will take place in Denver on Monday night.

The series winner will play the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the playoffs.

The Nuggets defeated Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat to win the 2023 NBA Championship after sweeping the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals the previous season.