Why Charles Barkley thinks the NBA is screwing Nikola Jokic

This has not been Nikola Jokic’s finest hour, but according to Charles Barkley, the NBA has not done the Nuggets superstar any favors.

The three-time MVP has struggled over the last three games, including Sunday’s Game 4 loss to the Thunder, which tied their second-round playoff series 2-2.

But Barkley, the TNT analyst, feels the NBA did Denver dirty by scheduling them for a Sunday afternoon game (1:30 p.m. MST) after they played Friday night (8 p.m. MST).

“I thought what the NBA did to [the Nuggets] was unfair,” Barkley said on the air Sunday, as captured by Awful Announcing. “Making them play late Friday night, then an early afternoon game. I thought that was unfair, I truly believe that.”

Kenny Smith interjected to say both teams had to deal with the same situation.

“Yeah, but [the Thunder] have more depth. OKC got 12 players,” Barkley replied. “Denver has never addressed their backup center situation or their bench. I think that’s one of the things that hurt them last year, because he gave out of gas last year against Rudy [Gobert] and big KAT [Karl-Anthony Towns]. So I don’t think it’s fair to blame everything on the Joker, but he has not played well and I think he’s wearing down.”