Nikola Jokic didn’t sugarcoat it after the Nuggets' Game 1 win. His message to Michael Porter Jr. was blunt, powerful, and necessary—because this is the playoffs, and effort is everything.

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It has taken all 20 guys in the room some nights, other guys leading the way ... That's what you need to win in big games ...