Is Nikola Jokic playing tonight against France? Latest on 3x NBA MVP’s availability
With Serbia taking on France in the pre-2024 Paris Olympics preps, hoops fans are curious to know if Nikola Jokic is playing on Friday night. The Serbian center is on the roster and expected to suit up at the time of writing. Jokic would be returning to the national team after two years.
He last played for the Serbians at the 2022 EuroBasket. Jokic led the team to a round-of-16 finish as they endured a shock against the Italians. He wasn’t with the team for their 2023 FIBA World Cup run’s second-place finish. Jokic took offseason leave after leading the Denver Nuggets to an NBA championship run.
Serbia will need him on the floor for the Olympics, though. Every team, especially the USA, which are in the same group as the FIBA World Cup runners-up, have plans to deploy their best roster.
Nikola Jokic would be well-rested, too. He had a longer offseason compared to last year, as the Nuggets suffered a second-round exit in the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jokic, coming off his third MVP award win, hasn’t played since. His last game was on May 19, in Denver’s Game 7 loss to the T’Wolves.
Nikola Jokic stats for Serbia
Nikola Jokic has played in two major international tournaments for Serbia. He represented them at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. He averaged 9.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists, shooting 50.0%. Jokic played all eight games, leading the Serbians to a silver medal. They lost 96-66 to Team USA in the finals.
Jokic’s second major tournament with Serbia was the 2019 FIBA World Cup. He played all eight games, averaging 11.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 4.8 apg on 68/40/80 splits. Serbia made it to the quarter-finals, losing 97-87 to Argentina. They won the fifth-to-eighth classification round to finish fifth in the tournament.
Nikola Jokic enters the 2024 Paris Olympics as arguably the best player in the world. His return makes Serbia a force to be reckoned with, especially after their impeccable run in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. They almost won without him, losing 83-77 against the Germans.
Nikola Jovic and Bogdan Bogdanovic came into their own in that tournament. If they can continue playing at a high level with Jokic on the floor, Serbia could be in contention to win the gold against powerhouses like the USA, Germany, Canada and Spain.
News
Cam Newton on the Mahomes Behind the Back pass… What did Andy Reed think???
Cam Newton on the Mahomes Behind the Back pass… What did Andy Reed think??? . . . Full video: Cam Newton reacts to Patrick Mahomes’ spectacular behind-the-back pass, expressing awe at the play’s creativity and skill. He wonders how Chiefs…
Patrick Mahomes’ Wife Defends Criticism Against Him—’I Lost My Husband’
Patrick Mahomes’ wife has defended the Kansas City Chiefs star against criticism he received last season, saying she lost him to football, but approved of him focusing on improving himself. During Wednesday’s episode of the WHOOP fitness podcast, Brittany Mahomes spoke out about the…
Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Players Without Patrick Mahomes
Joe Burrow of the Bengals, Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars, and Jordan Love of the Packers lead the top 10 highest-paid NFL players, each earning $55 million annually ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Notably, Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl champion…
Pregnant Brittany Mahomes Celebrates 29th Birthday at Dinner With Patrick Mahomes and Her ‘Girlies’
Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Mahomes Mike Coppola/Getty Images Brittany Mahomes is feeling some birthday love for the last year of her 20s! The Kansas City Current co-owner, who is currently pregnant with her third child with her husband, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes,…
Pregnant Brittany Mahomes Has 29th Birthday Dinner with ‘Lover’ Patrick Mahomes and Her ‘Girlies’ — See the Cake!
Brittany’s celebratory dinner came the day before her birthday on August 31 (L) Brittany Mahomes and Patrick Mahomes. (R) Brittany’s birthday cake. Photo: Thaddaeus McAdams/WireImage Brittany Mahomes is getting into the birthday spirit! Ahead of celebrating her 29th birthday on Saturday, Aug. 31,…
Fans Defend Simone Biles Following Jason Kelce’s Remark About Her Olympic Performance
Kelce’s brother Travis also showed support to the G.O.A.T. Fans were shocked and disappointed to discover that Jason Kelce had ever questioned the incredible abilities of Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. The surprise came during a recent episode of his podcast, “New Heights,”…
End of content
No more pages to load