Draymond Green fired more shots at Jusuf Nurkic after the Suns’ season ended with a sweep defeat to the Timberwolves. Following the sweep, Nurkic’s career postseason record is 3-17, with a 15% victory rate. Green shared the statistic on Instagram, mocking the Bosnian center for all of his trash talk about Green this season.
“Hope that brother gets the help he needs.”
Green used the same words Nurkic used in the media following their dispute earlier this season, when Green attacked Nurkic during a game and was later suspended and sent to counseling.
Nurkic also posted a GIF with the caption ‘That’s all folks!’ after the Warriors were ousted from the Play-In Tournament, implying the end of their dynasty. Green responded to that on his podcast by criticizing Nurkic.
“That’s all, folks.” You have to be quite cautious when you’re not very successful and attempt to take jabs at individuals. Because when you don’t have control over your own performance, when you don’t play a significant role in your team’s success, you can’t truly influence the outcome of the game… for example, you can get 20 rebounds and lose a game. It’s difficult to take jabs at people when you have no control over the outcome of the game!”
In four playoff losses to the Timberwolves in 2024, Nurkic averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. While he proceeded further than Green, they both had the same number of wins in this year’s playoffs.
Green, on the other hand, may take comfort in the four championships he has previously won, but Nurkic must deal with his dismal postseason record.
Jusuf Nurkic’s playoff record is one of the worst in NBA history
Nurkic has appeared in 20 postseason games throughout his career, but has only won three. Two of those victories came in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, where the Portland Trail Blazers fell 4-2 to a Denver Nuggets team missing Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., losing the series despite being the odds-on favorite to advance. This was his final postseason appearance before the sweep this season.
Nurkic was again swept in the 2018 playoffs, losing in the first round to the New Orleans Pelicans, spearheaded by Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday. He was injured throughout the Blazers’ 2019 Western Conference Finals run, missing out on the team’s eight postseason wins.
He averages 11.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists throughout the playoffs. Nurkic fulfills his duty as his talents are outmatched by the opposition. Nonetheless, the Blazers’ one good run during his stint with the team occurred when he was hurt, so it’s worth considering whether Nurkic is a horrible postseason option.
The Phoenix Suns have few options for improving their team for next season, with Nurkic being the only player on the team who can be dealt and is not on a minimum contract, aside from the team’s three stars. He’ll aim to return to the playoffs next season, but there’s no guarantee he’ll have the chance with the Suns.