By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The first meeting with the Miami Heat since the infamous November 9 incident was just another game for Nikola Jokic. The Serbian Denver Nuggets superstar returning to action after sitting out the last four fixtures discussed the situation between him and the experienced American big man, his brothers in attendance at FTX Arena, and more following Monday’s contest.
“I played in Serbia, brother,” he mentioned brushing off a question regarding the nearly 20,000 fans booing him every time he touched the ball. The Miami crowd was responding to the clash between the Joker and Morris in the last matchup between the two sides.
Prior to moving to the NBA in 2015, he spent the earlier years of his career playing for Mega, a Serbian team based in Belgrade.
Jokic, 26, has not talked with Morris since the shoving leading to him receiving a one-game suspension. His adversary has been sidelined with a neck injury missing the next 11 games.
His brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, were in attendance, as promised. They were sitting behind the Nuggets bench. “To be honest, they were coming to Miami every year that was possible. They missed the last couple of years because of COVID with no fans,” the reigning NBA MVP explained, “It is very cool to have them by your side.”
After a right wrist injury forcing him to the sidelines the last 11 days, he went for 24 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and one steal over 33 minutes in Miami. The Nuggets were held to the losing end in the previous six outings of the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season.
“That’s behind us,” he commented on the losing streak, “We need to move on to the future. We won the game, which is the most important thing.”
With P.J. Dozier, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. out long-term, the Nuggets got back on the win column jumping to 10-10 in the first stop of a seven-game road trip. Coming up, the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
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