Nuggets gonna have to give DJ some run to keep Jokic fresh?

Joker played 41 minutes last game. For comparison his season average was 34.6.

I know everybody’s minutes go up in the playoffs, but a 7 minute increase for a seven foot heavyset post up player is a lot. Grappling for position in the post is far more exhausting than camping the three point line. Last year he averaged 39.5 minutes in the playoffs. The year before that when they had Cousins behind him, he played 35 minutes in their lone playoff series vs GS. Boogie gave them some good production in the backup spot too.

Charles mentioned this on the broadcast the other night and I think hes right, they gotta try to work DJ into the game for a few minutes while Gobert’s on the court (so DJ’s lack of offense is offset by Toody’s) and get Jokic more rest. Play DJ with Murray and Porter and the other shooters (you can actually play Porter at the four in spurts), try to rest Gordon and Jokic together and keep them on the court fresh together.

But 41 minutes for Jokic battling against that many big Minnesota defenders… I dont see how it’s gonna work in the long run.