Billy Donovan dismisses Chicago's fumbled opportunity to win against Denver

Donovan doesn’t view the idea that the Bulls have lost a chance to win against the Nuggets after Jokic got ejected.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The chance was out there when Nikola Jokic was unjustifiably ousted from the game with a minute left in the first half. As much as it’s disappointing for the fans to see the reigning Finals MVP walking out, a win would have been perfect to bounce back for their Bulls after a loss against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Nikola Jokic just got ejected for this.pic.twitter.com/ZC3o6MQfCh

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 13, 2023

But, in the midst of the “What ifs”  and other swirling thoughts, head coach Billy Donovan refused to linger on the narrative that they mishandled the important event of Jokic's early departure.

Respect the champs

Out of respect for the reigning champions, Donovan doesn’t perceive their defeat against the Nuggets as sorely disappointing due to what unfolded around Jokic.

“I don't view it that way. We're in a back-to-back, they're a good team. They got good players,” Donovan said.

“It’s really about the guys that are on the court at that time. We didn’t do enough to win the game. [Denver] did, and you give them credit for that. I think you still have to go out there and play. Regardless who out there, you still have to do the things necessary to put yourself in that situation.”

Even in the booting of Jokic, the battle-tested Nuggets managed to stamp the victory due to Reggie Jackson’s lead. Despite Nikola Vucevic and Coby White’s 53 combined points, that wasn’t enough to lift the Bulls from the 50 points that Denver’s bench mob produced alone.

Rest and recover

The rough back-to-back games against two title contenders left the Bulls running on fumes and losing their win streak. As they move forward and prepare for the upcoming three-game road trip, Donovan desires to see his team recharged in their two-day break.

“I think we gotta regroup here. Certainly getting us back physically. The last 22 games has probably taken a lot of us physically. So we've got to get back physically tomorrow, they'll have come off coming this back-to-back and we need to have a good shootaround going into Miami.”

Undermanned Denver Nuggets hand the Chicago Bulls their second loss in a row