Nikola Jokic finishes with just one field goal attempt as Nuggets fall to Grizzlies

Over the last decade, the Memphis Grizzlies’ grindhouse, also known as the FedEx forum, has zapped the life out of opposing offenses. The Nuggets and Nikola Jokic felt its wrath Wednesday night.

Jokic finished with just four points on only one official field goal attempt, a three-point shot with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation with Denver trailing 89-87. Jokic’s potential game-winner clanged off the iron as the Nuggets’ five-game winning streak was snapped.

Jokic’s point total is lowest since he scored four points in Denver’s 118-107 loss in Dallas on March 6 last year. All of his four points against Memphis came from the foul line.

The Nuggets fell in line behind Jokic’s offensive shortcoming. Denver shot just 30.9 percent from the field and hit on just 8 of its 32 three-point attempts. Forty-eight hours after scoring a career-high 48 points against the Celtics, Jamal Murray finished just 15 points on a paltry 6-21 shooting. Gary Harris led the Nuggets in scoring with 20 points but shot just 6-16 from the field. Paul Millsap struggled on offense to shoot 1-7 in a season-low 20 minutes.

Denver’s bench, led by Trey Lyles (16 points on 6-9 shooting), Monte Morris (eights points, three assists) and Mason Plumlee (ten points, six rebounds), was a bright spot again. Starting small forward Torrey Craig had a strong defensive game limiting Mike Conley to only four points on 2-9 shooting.

Grizzlies’ rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. had a strong night, finishing with 20 points and seven rebounds.

The Nuggets led 29-22 after the first quarter but went into halftime with a two-point deficit. Denver trailed by four points with 40.4 seconds to go but battled back to have a chance to win or tie the game at the end of the fourth quarter.

The Nuggets falls to 9-2 on the year and host the Nets on Friday.