By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The early exits of the NBA’s top European superstars shifted the spotlight from North American arenas to the heart of Europe this weekend, capturing a rare crossover of sports culture.
While the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks are following the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, from afar, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo made headlines from the VIP section of the 2026 UEFA Champions League Final in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday.
The Serbian superstar, a devoted Arsenal supporter, broke his typical stoic demeanor, going viral after broadcast cameras caught him celebrating intensely when Kai Havertz opened the scoring for the Gunners. The Joker has long credited Arsenal legend Thierry Henry as his favorite athlete of all time, explaining his passionate display during the dramatic match that ultimately saw Paris Saint-Germain triumph in a penalty shootout.
The Greek Freak enjoyed the spectacle as a neutral fan, experiencing his first live Champions League final, though his presence sparked a viral sensation of its own. In a comical blunder, the global television graphics mistakenly introduced the Bucks icon as a Boston Celtics player, igniting a flurry of memes across social media. Following the match, Antetokounmpo mirrored his Serbian counterpart’s sentiments, expressing his admiration for the event and revealing that he, too, considers Thierry Henry his favorite football player. He later shared a historic moment on the pitch, presenting PSG’s Vitinha with the Player of the Match award.
Meanwhile, the Slovenian star of the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic, bypassed the festivities at the Puskas Arena. A fierce Real Madrid supporter, he instead finalized a massive off-court business venture in Italy, confirming plans to immediately establish a team in Rome and aiming to position the historic city for a future entry into the NBA Europe league.
Make