By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Behind the latest triple-double by Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat, 122-112, in Ball Arena.
The 30-year-old Serbian center posted his fifth triple-double in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, matching the combined total of the remaining players in the league.
With 12/18 field goals en route to a game-high 33 points, he added 16 assists and 15 rebounds, and also registered three steals in 36:35.
With the Heat featuring Nikola Jovic, the 22-year-old forward discussed his relationship with his teammate on the senior national team of Serbia before Wednesday’s game.
“We talk about a lot of stuff. He was mad because I signed the extension. He wanted me in Denver,” Jovic mentioned humorously, “We talk, but nothing crazy. We make sure that we stay in touch and we stick by each other because there’s not a lot of us Serbian players around the NBA.”
“I think he needs to listen to the coaching staff, because I remember when I started playing, I was just doing what they told me to do, and that is going to give you minutes and an opportunity to play. Then, we you build trust, you can do something on your own. You will see if it’s working or not,” answered Jokic in the postgame press conference.
“He has the potential, because I think he’s a good defender, he can defend multiple positions, just because of his size. And offensively, you can use him in ball-handling, he can shoot threes, he’s a very good post-up player,” he added, sharing his expert view on Jovic.
European action on Erik Spoelstra’s side went from Swedish starter Pelle Larsson packing six points to Italian Simone Fontecchio and Jovic scoring five points off the bench. Lithuanian Kasparas Jakucionis was cleared from a right groin strain but did not play, and Russian Vladislav Goldin remained inactive.
Lasting 10:53 for the Nuggets, Lithuanian reserve Jonas Valanciunas got six points and six rebounds.