標籤: Jokic

丹佛金塊隊巨星尼古拉·約基奇在周三晚上以 142-135 戰勝達拉斯小牛隊的比賽中再次奉獻了令人驚嘆的全能傑作，幾乎打出了 20/20/20 的三雙數據，將掘金隊本賽季戰績推至 46-28，在常規賽還剩 17 天時位居西部第四。在背靠背的第二個晚上，金塊隊的連勝場次擴大到了四場，並且在NBA季後賽即將到來之際，將他們與三號種子洛杉磯湖人隊的距離拉近了。統計數據線的歷史罕見性及其對丹佛季後賽排名的影響，StatMuse 在 X（以前的 Twitter）上發布了以下內容，分享了這位塞爾維亞中鋒在周三晚上丹佛險勝丹佛的比賽中的統治力。

尼可拉約基奇 vs 達拉斯：

23 分
21 雷布
19 穀草轉氨酶

距離 20/20/20 場比賽僅差 1 次助攻。 pic.twitter.com/HxCzmuws8G

— StatMuse (@statmuse) 2026 年 3 月 26 日

StatMuse 的貼文引起了共鳴，因為它以聯盟歷史上最罕見的數據線之一為背景，描述了這位 30 歲天才球員對陣小牛隊的表現。在 NBA 歷史上，正式記錄的 20/20/20 場比賽（至少 20 分、20 個籃板和 20 次助攻）的次數屈指可數，包括 1968 年威爾特·張伯倫 (Wilt Chamberlain)、2019 年拉塞爾·威斯布魯克 (Russell Westbrook) 和本月早些時候的約基奇 (Jokic)。這位三屆 NBA MVP 在對達拉斯的比賽中只差一次助攻，將這一最新表現與那些歷史基準相提並論，同時仍然是極其罕見的現代三雙。

數字對積分榜的影響與對得分的影響一樣重要。約基奇的組織進攻，加上他對籃板的控制，幫助丹佛金塊隊以 142-135 獲勝，並將金塊隊以 46-28 的比分推至 46-28，使他們在第一輪牢牢鎖定前四種子和主場優勢。

賈馬爾·穆雷在同一場比賽中拿下賽季最高的 53 分，進一步證明了球隊這對充滿活力的二人組的危險性，尤其是在季後賽之前。

這一表現也為他輝煌的履歷增添了另一個里程碑，他的職業生涯助攻數達到了 6,000 次，進一步鞏固了他作為聯盟精英傳球大個子之一的地位。球隊現在將注意力轉向周五主場對陣猶他爵士隊的比賽。

On Tuesday evening, the Philadelphia 76ers returned to the loss column with a blowout road loss at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. The 76ers were playing without several key players, including big man Joel Embiid, who remained out of the lineup due to injury.

However, Embiid was present on the sidelines at Ball Arena, and after the game, he shared a good moment With fellow Nuggets MVP big man Nikola Jokic.

Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid catch up after the game

pic.twitter.com/eD98cAqoJq

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 18 March 2026

Embiid and Jokic have long been viewed as the two best centers on the NBA landscape, and fans have been frustrated by the lack of a head-to-head matchup between the two former MVPs. In fact, Embiid hasn’t played a game in Denver since the 2019-20 season, having been injured at that time of year every season since then.

Meanwhile, the 76ers recently slipped to ninth place in the Eastern Conference amid the Atlanta Hawks’ 10-game winning streak, and it’s unclear when Embiid will be ready to return to the court. The 76ers are still dealing with the absence of Paul George due to league suspension, as well as Tyrese Maxey, who is out with a finger injury.

At this point, it’s highly unlikely that the 76ers could realistically fall further than tenth place in the Eastern Conference, meaning they would be at worst heading into the play-in tournament. However, in a season that started with so much promise, it is certainly disappointing for Philadelphia fans to see things fall apart due to injuries once again.

The 76ers will next take the court on Thursday evening as they look to get back into the win column against the Sacramento Kings.

The Philadelphia 76ers face Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, and Joel Embiid is once again at the center of the injury report. The 76ers have listed Embiid as out with a right oblique strain, making Philadelphia the franchise star the focus of attention as the team looks to extend a two-game winning streak.

The 76ers enter the matchup at 37-31, No. 9 in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are 41-27, in 5th place in the Western Conference and looking to bounce back from a recent loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. With both teams pushing for momentum, Embiid’s absence looms large.

Embiid remains the 76ers’ anchor when available. In 33 games, he is averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists, while shooting 49.5 percent from the field, 31.8 percent from three and 85.8 percent from the line. He also adds 1.1 blocks and 0.6 steals per game.

When Embiid plays, the 76ers operate with far more structure and interior dominance. His ability to command double teams and control the paint shapes Philadelphia’s entire offensive system.

joel embiid injury status vs nuggets

The 76ers’ injury report includes several additional names. Jonny Broom is out as his right knee recovers from surgery. Paul George is out due to league suspension. Tyrese Maxey is out with a strained right tendon, while Kelly Oubre Jr. is out with a left elbow sprain. Dellen Terry is listed as questionable due to a left shoulder problem.

As for Denver, the Nuggets have several players listed out on the injury report. Those names include Jabari Walker, Darron Holmes II, Curtis Jones and KJ Simpson on G League assignment. Peyton Watson is also out with a right hamstring strain.

Still, Embiid’s absence remains the biggest story in this matchup. The 76ers will try to maintain their momentum even without their star. The Nuggets, meanwhile, aim to respond after the loss.

So when it comes to the question of whether Joel Embiid is playing tonight against the Nuggets, the answer is no. Their rightward bias will keep them on the sidelines. As a result, Philadelphia will need to adjust in an important inter-conference matchup.

The Denver Nuggets were about to be eliminated on Thursday night. After an impressive blowout win over the Houston Rockets just 24 hours earlier and losing an hour due to a time change on a flight to Texas, the stage was set for a “scheduled loss” against the San Antonio Spurs. Instead, Nikola Jokic decided to serve up the Frost Bank Center as a historic masterpiece, pulling his team back from a massive 20-point deficit to a thrilling 136–131 victory.

Jokic finished the night with an impressive 31 points, 20 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals and two blocks. While a triple-double is usually just another day at the office for the Serbian center, the sheer volume of his production in every major statistical category puts him in a stratosphere of his own.

In fact, this performance was so rare that the last person to put up those elite numbers in a game was Jokic himself, just 18 days earlier. On February 22, he torched the Golden State Warriors with a nearly identical stat line, proving that his “ultra-rare” nights are becoming a regular occurrence in 2026.

Denver looked sluggish in the first two quarters, falling behind as the Spurs found their rhythm from behind the arc. However, head coach David Edelman tightened the rotation, and Jamal Murray provided the perimeter scoring punch needed to keep the Nuggets within striking distance.

Murray finished with 39 points, but it was Jokic who systematically dismantled San Antonio’s defense during a furious fourth-quarter rally. He hit back-to-back shots in the lane with less than five minutes remaining to pull Denver within one point, ultimately sealing the epic comeback at the stripe.

With the win, the Nuggets moved to 40-26 and remained alive in the hunt for a top-three seed. As the MVP race reaches its peak, Jokic continues to distinguish himself with a level of versatility that feels unprecedented. If he keeps posting these video-game numbers twice a month, the rest of the Western Conference is in serious trouble.

As the NBA world reacted to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 129-126 win against All-Star Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins singled out the three-time MVP. For the second time in 10 days, the Thunder defeated Jokic and the Nuggets at home in another instant classic between the two leading MVP candidates.

According to Rod Trippin, according to Perkins, despite Jokic having another typical regular season, he is not in tip-top shape.

“I don’t believe Jokic is in the best shape, and he’s still putting up these stats,” Perkins said. “I believe Jokic needs to be in better shape because remember, when Jokic was at his best, we saw him running up those stairs in the offseason before the championship, watching all the videos. He looked more ripped, he was cut, and he was playing on both sides of the basketball.”

For Perkins, Jokic was more effective on the defensive end of the floor, especially during the Nuggets’ championship run in 2023.

Perkins said, “I’m just saying that everyone has been waiting for the Joker to take this turn.” “And it seems like we haven’t seen it defensively.”

Jokic’s triple-double (32 points, 13 assists, 14 rebounds) led four Nuggets players to reach double figures, including starter Aaron Gordon (23 points, 10 rebounds) in his second game back from a hamstring injury. Tim Hardaway Jr. connected on eight threes en route to 28 points off the bench, and Jamal Murray added 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The Nuggets will look to bounce back when they host the Rockets on Wednesday.

Nikola Jokic gives flowers to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after defeat

After losing to the Thunder for the second time in 10 days, Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic gave his flowers to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s 63-year-old record in Monday’s loss. The Thunder have an edge in the Western Conference rivalry, which could continue into the postseason. Jokic recently reaffirmed his loyalty to the Nuggets, calling it his home.

After Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic night, Jokic had to remind reporters how hard is it According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, it is no easy feat for a player to score 20+ points in 126 consecutive games, breaking a 60+ year-old record.

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, no matter what, it’s special. He’s a special player,” Jokic said. “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to play against him.”

Nikola Jokic ties Wilt with 126 consecutive 20-point games at SGA

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, whatever, it’s special. He’s a special player.” pic.twitter.com/YMSWvXGbhj

– Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) 10 March 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander’s unforgettable night undoubtedly gives him a significant lead over Jokic in this year’s MVP race.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lou Dort has apologized after a flagrant foul on Nikola Jokic in the fourth quarter of their 129-126 win. According to a quote from Dort obtained by ESPN’s Tim McMahon, he said it was nothing personal and that he was caught up in the competitive moment.

“Just lost the contest,” Dort told ESPN’s Tim McMahon. “But shook hands with him, [said] ‘Great game’ and I apologized that this happened.”

He emphasized that it was nothing personal and that he did not intend to hit Jokic in the face as he walked around a screen set by the three-time MVP for Jamal Murray.

“I didn’t mean to hit him in the face. But when I go on screens and things like that, my arms are everywhere, and then unfortunately I hit him in the face. … I didn’t think it was a disrespectful thing. 1. Needless to say I did it. [it] Intentionally, which I didn’t do.”

In postgame comments obtained by ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Jokic addressed the incident and did not believe Dort went too far as he has in the past.

“No, (he did not cross the limit)…it was over since last time.”

This is the second incident between Lu Dort and Nikola Jokic in the last two weeks. In the Thunder’s February 27 win over the Nuggets, Dort passed to Jokic and knocked him down. Jokic became angry, thinking of immediately going after Dort because at that moment he believed it was intentional.

There was another tense moment between Nikola Jokic and Luguentz Dort following the Denver Nuggets’ heartbreaking 129-126 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, courtesy of a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander game-winner.

Dort accidentally slapped the Nuggets star in the face while trying to steal a screen from Jokic. Jokic then fell to the ground and remained there for a long time and officials eventually called a flagrant foul on the Thunder wing.

What made this conversation so interesting was the fact that Dort had also blatantly fouled Jokic in their previous matchup. No Nuggets fan will soon forget how Dort intentionally headed back in Jokic’s direction in an attempt to knock him down, sparking a near-all-out brawl between the Northwest Division rivals.

But after the game, Jokic did not believe that unlike in the past, Dort had crossed the line that time.

“No, (he didn’t cross the line),” Jokic said after the game, via ESPN’s Anthony Slater. “It was over from last time.”

Jokic is not a player to hold grudges and he certainly did not do so against Dort. Considering how heated the games between the Thunder and Nuggets are, it’s all part of competing against the best.

Nuggets star Nikola Jokic holds no grudge against Lu Dort

Dort drew a lot of criticism after his flagrant foul on Jokic in the Thunder’s win over the Nuggets on February 27. But he apologized for hitting Jokic in the face this time, and unlike last time, it was very unintentional and an unfortunate consequence of his attempt to get on the big screen.

The Nuggets star is letting bygones be bygones be the way to move forward, especially if they are to lock in and really focus on getting over the Thunder’s hump.

OKLAHOMA CITY – For the second time in 10 days, All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated MVP candidate Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, giving Jalen Williams an isolated shot. Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic night began when he tied Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 126 consecutive 20+ point games. He sealed the special night with a 3-pointer that would send the Nuggets home.

The shorthanded Thunder, who competed without Williams, All-Star Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso to name a few, were led by their MVP candidate in Gilgeous-Alexander against a Nuggets team eager to avenge last week’s overtime thriller. In terms of Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP race with Jokic, Williams believes SGA’s 35-point performance in the Thunder’s 129-126 win should seal the race, he said on Twitter with his ex, former .

“MVP. Don’t think too much!!!” Williams posted the score shortly after Monday’s win, as the Thunder extended their winning streak to six.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s near triple-double (35 points, 15 assists, nine rebounds) with a block and a steal led five Thunder players into double figures, including Jaylin Williams’ 29 points, including a career-high seven threes, and a dozen rebounds. In his first game since January, Ajay Mitchell led the second unit with 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting, and Isaiah Joe and Jared McCain both added 13 points, including three triples.

Jokic’s triple-double (32 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) led the Nuggets. Aaron Gordon added 23 points and 10 rebounds, Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 28 points, including eight threes, led the bench production, while All-Star Jamal Murray added 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Nikola Jokic shouts out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as ‘special’

Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic has been impressed by the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is reminding everyone how difficult it is to record 20+ points in 126 consecutive games. jokic expansive Gilgeous-Alexander during his postgame media availability, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, no matter what, it’s special. He’s a special player,” Jokic said. “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to play against him.”

Nikola Jokic ties Wilt with 126 consecutive 20-point games at SGA

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, whatever, it’s special. He’s a special player.” pic.twitter.com/YMSWvXGbhj

– Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) 10 March 2026

The Thunder will look to extend their winning streak to seven when they host the Celtics at Paycom Center on Thursday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record for most consecutive 20+ point performances (126), earning praise from Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic. Following Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-winning 3-pointer in the 129-126 Thunder victory, Jokic gave his flowers to the reigning MVP for making history.

Jokic tried his best to put Gilgeous-Alexander 126 consecutive 20+ point games According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, he put it into perspective during media availability after the game.

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, no matter what, it’s special. He’s a special player,” Jokic said. “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to play against him.”

Nikola Jokic ties Wilt with 126 consecutive 20-point games at SGA

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, whatever, it’s special. He’s a special player.” pic.twitter.com/YMSWvXGbhj

– Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) 10 March 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander tied Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most 20+ point performances in the third quarter of Monday’s three-point win against the Nuggets. Then, he used back-to-back threes to put out his fellow MVP candidate and the Nuggets with just 3.3 seconds left on the game clock.

SGA finished with 35 points on 14-for-21 shooting, including 7-for-3 from deep, 15 assists, nine rebounds, one steal and one block. Jokic’s triple-double (32 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) led the Nuggets. Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 28 points, including eight threes, led Denver’s second unit, and Aaron Gordon finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reacts to breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s record

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says he didn’t spend much time thinking about Wilt Chamberlain’s record until he tied it against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Gilgeous-Alexander set an absurd record by scoring 20+ points in 126 consecutive games, a feat that took an NBA player over 63 years to match.

For Gilgeous-Alexander, it’s a lot to digest, he said, during his postgame media availability, reminding reporters that the Thunder victory is still ahead About his approach to defending his first NBA title.

Gilgeous-Alexander said, “It’s still a lot to wrap around in my mind. To be honest, I try not to think about it, especially during the season. There’s a lot going on. A lot of things have to go right to get what you ultimately want.” “That’s my 100 percent focus, especially in a basketball context. It’s special to interact with a guy like that (Wilt Chamberlain).

“It’s crazy to think that where I was 10 years ago, I would be here today. You work hard. You trust the process. You look up, and great things can happen to you, and I’m proof of that.”

SGA on equaling Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most consecutive 20+ point games (126): “Honestly, I try not to think about it, especially during the season. There’s a lot going on…

But to interact with a guy like that (Wilt Chamberlain) is special. It’s crazy to think… pic.twitter.com/Mdfj7jVSDp

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 10 March 2026

The Thunder improved to 51–15 and took a 3.0 game lead over the Spurs in the Western Conference standings.

对于维克多·温巴尼亚马来说，这又是一个怪物般的一天，他带领圣安东尼奥马刺队以 121-106 战胜了底特律活塞队。获胜后，温班亚马追平了纪录 以前举行过 根据 Stat Muse 的说法，由尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokic) 创作。

职业块：

573 — 温比
第573章——约基奇

小丑还参加了 627 场比赛。 pic.twitter.com/zpkuDio7j3

— StatMuse (@statmuse) 2026 年 3 月 6 日

温班亚马已经让自己名声大噪，成为篮板上的怪物和防守的力量。部分因为他，马刺队成为了 NBA 总决赛的有力竞争者，并在重建过程中提前完成。他对活塞队的五个盖帽是防守端统治力的另一个例子，遏制了底特律的进攻。

文巴尼亚马在进攻端仍然具有威胁，同样拿下38分和16个篮板，领先马刺队。他的领导力，加上达龙·福克斯和斯蒂芬·卡斯尔的强劲发挥，让马刺队焕发了活力，并帮助他们处于与最好的球队抗衡的位置。

战胜活塞队将战绩提升至45胜17负，目前排名西部第二。文班亚马本赛季统治了 NBA，迈出了他发展的关键的下一步。虽然 NBA 的大部分球队在进攻端继续蓬勃发展，但温班亚马在攻防两端都留下了自己的印记。

多年来，约基奇一直享有这样的声誉。虽然他仍然是一个威胁，但温班亚马已经正式与他一起载入史册，而且他在更短的时间内做到了这一点。温班亚马场均盖帽 3 个。尽管这比他上赛季的场均 3.8 有所下降，但他的防守表现仍然强劲。在周日与休斯敦火箭队的大决战之前，马刺队接下来将主场迎战洛杉矶快船队，文巴尼亚马将获得另一个机会来保持势头。

It was another terrific day for Victor Wembanyama as he led the San Antonio Spurs to a 121-106 win over the Detroit Pistons. After the win, Vembanyama equaled a record held before According to State Muse, by Nikola Jokic.

Career Barriers:

573 – Wemby
573 – Jokic

Joker has played 627 more games. pic.twitter.com/zpkuDio7j3

– Statmuse (@statmuse) 6 March 2026

Vembanyama have already put themselves on the map, being a monster on the board and a force on defence. Partly because of him, the Spurs are NBA Finals contenders ahead of schedule in the rebuilding process. His five blocks against the Pistons were another example of dominance on the defensive end, which also included Detroit’s offense.

Vembanyama continued to be a threat on the offensive end, leading the Spurs with 38 points and 16 rebounds. His leadership, along with the strong play of De’Aaron Fox and Stephen Cassel, have revitalized the Spurs and helped put them in a position to compete with the best.

The win against the Pistons improved their record to 45–17, and they are currently in second place in the Western Conference. Wembanyama has dominated the NBA this season and taken the next important step in his development. While much of the NBA thrives on the offensive side of the ball, Wembanyama makes his mark on both ends of the floor.

For years, Jokic had that reputation. While he remains a threat, Vembanyama has officially entered the history books, and he did so in a short period of time. Vembanyama is averaging three blocks per game. Although this is down from his average of 3.8 points last season, his mark on defense still remains strong. Ahead of a big showdown with the Houston Rockets on Sunday, Wembanyama will get another chance to keep the momentum going as the Spurs next host the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Los Angeles Lakers left Thursday night’s loss to the Denver Nuggets with a lot of disappointment. LeBron James expressed anger after a tough play involving Nikola Jokic that led to a possible injury. The moment came late in Los Angeles’ 120-113 loss in Denver. Under the arena lights, James absorbed contact from Jokic while completing a layup. There was no whistle. Moments later, the Lakers star walked away, rubbing his left elbow.

This sequence soon became the biggest talking point of the night.

With 4:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, James hit the floor with his elbow. The collision occurred when Jokic challenged the play at the rim. Officials allowed the game to continue. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers forward felt the effects immediately.

“It’s pretty sore right now,” James said after the game. “It felt like it was one of those weird situations, but much more intense.”

James returned after some time. Still, the uneasiness persisted. He fouled out again and missed the final 22.3 seconds. After the game, he iced the elbow while longtime trainer Mike Mancias placed a compression sleeve on his left arm for the team’s flight back to Los Angeles.

Lakers star LeBron James angry with Jokic’s no-call

When reporters asked for an explanation from officials, James did not hold back. The Lakers veteran seemed more irritated by the decision involving Nikola Jokic than the injury.

“It’s what it is—,” James said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “‘Marginal.’ It’s the same s—. …They keep saying that it is ‘marginal’. I’m so tired of that word. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Meanwhile, Lakers coach JJ Redick said James iced his elbow after the game because the discomfort prevented him from finishing. His status for the next match remains uncertain.

That night still holds history. James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most career field goals in NBA history. Yet the accomplishment faded into the background as the Nuggets rode 28-point performances from Jokic and Jamal Murray.

A question now looms over Los Angeles. Will the Lakers get their superstar back soon, or will LeBron James’ injury saga intensify before the next tipoff?

Denver Nuggets head coach David Edelman continues to defend All-Star Nikola Jokic for his actions in the fourth quarter of last Friday’s 127-121 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Edelman didn’t care for Lou Dort’s apology for drawing the flagrant-2 foul on Jokic. When Dort intentionally knocked down the MVP candidate in the backcourt by going over his injured left knee, Nikola was furious.

Edelman understands Jokic’s frustration, having to deal with the physicality of opposing teams that run the line on dirty plays is enough for any player. lose one’s temper According to the DNVR Nuggets, he said, in the heat of competition at a high level.

“It’s not biased towards my own player. Nobody in the league is being guarded like he is. Nobody. Nobody is sitting on the knees of other MVPs. Nobody is taking shots the way he’s taking them. But that’s our reality,” Edelman said. “And so, we’ve got to continue to try to win games. He’s got to play through that physicality. I’ve got to find places on the court where he can play in space – that’s on me. So, there [are] No excuse. If the whistle doesn’t blow, it won’t blow.

“The game continues. We will deal with it as long as we can. Also, I have no problem with his reaction. Like I said, reacting is part of being a human being. If this continues, we will react accordingly.”

“No one in the league is being protected like he is. No one is taking a knee to another MVP. No one is taking shots the way he’s taking them. But that’s our reality.”

Nuggets head coach David Edelman explained how to execute Nikola Jokic.

(via @DNVR_Nuggets)
pic.twitter.com/QahpHTOKrZ

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 5 March 2026

After losing to the Thunder in overtime, the Nuggets suffered another loss at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves (117–108), but bounced back with a 128–125 win against the Utah Jazz.

David Edelman calls out Thunder for not reacting to Lu Dort

Nuggets head coach David Edelman was amazed by the Thunder’s response to Lou Dort’s blatant -2 foul on Nikola Jokic. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault expected the same result if the situation had been reversed, but he never condemned Dort for his actions. Lu’s teammates chalked it up to a spur-of-the-moment play.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, for Edelman, Jocic losing his temper was justified due to the severity of Dort’s foul.

“He’s a more measured guy throughout the season — I think most guys are. If they’re measured they’re more productive. But there’s a point where we play these games, and he tackles anybody on the night [would] React that way. For Dort to take that shot – and then I guess it was no big deal from his perspective, how he saw it – is ridiculous. He was malicious. It was a cheap shot.

“Lou Dort is a great player, and I haven’t seen him do that before. But at some point, you have to stand up for yourself, and so does the team. They’re a great team. That’s what that game was. But, yeah, Nikola, that’s who he is, man. You can’t have the success that he’s had and you can’t be as competitive. He’s got emotions inside of him that he keeps under control, but the guy is very capable and very willing to respond emotionally,” Edelman said. Concluded.

The Nuggets will face the Thunder on Monday at Paycom Center.

Despite the veteran guard’s recent apology, Denver Nuggets head coach David Edelman is not discounting the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Lou Dort for his flagrant 2 fouls on All-Star Nikola Jokic. After the Nuggets’ 127-121 loss in overtime on Friday, Jokic called Dort’s dirty play an unnecessary move. Dortch spoke about the incident for the first time Tuesday.

The Thunder guard said he shouldn’t have made such a dangerous play on Jokic. However, Edelman did not care about Dort’s recent comments when a reporter asked the Nuggets head coach if Lu Apology means nothing to himhe said, according to Troy Renk of the Denver Post.

“No,” Edelman replied. “No,” as he repeated his terse response.

Dort acknowledged that his foul on Jokic was out of bounds. #nuggets‘ feedback? don’t care.

Coach Edelman:

As a footnote, there is going to be a playoff-physical cage match on Monday night in OKC pic.twitter.com/o3OwGWQ1DR

– Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) 4 March 2026

Speaking to the media in the visitors’ locker room after Tuesday’s 116-108 win against the Chicago Bulls, Dort reflected on the play that caused him to miss Friday’s game, per Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic.

“It was a physical game the whole game,” Dortch said. “Obviously, there was unnecessary contact that I shouldn’t have made. Getting kicked out of the game hurt me the worst. But yes, it was a high-level game. I’m a competitor, so I compete.”

David Edelman and the Nuggets will face the Thunder in a rematch next Monday at Paycom Center.

Nikola Jokic speaks out after altercation with Thunder’s Lu Dort

Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic slammed Lou Dort for his flagrant-2 foul in Friday’s overtime loss to the Thunder. Ready to leave the loss behind, Jokic believes adversity will make the Nuggets better in the long run. Perhaps there is a plan to avenge the defeat from the current champion.

According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, he said, by no means, that Jokic did not hold back from criticizing Dort’s actions.

“Unnecessary move, and a necessary reaction,” Jokic said. “There’s no such thing – I think things like that shouldn’t happen on a basketball floor. So it was just an unnecessary step and a necessary reaction by me.”

The Nuggets returned to the win column with a 128-125 win against the Jazz on Monday.

Lou Dort has made a name for himself by being the heart and soul of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is the one who sets the level of physicality on defense, and his strong play helped make the Thunder a championship organization.

However, his intensity and physical play sometimes cross the line, as he did on Friday against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

Given the success of both organizations in the Western Conference, the Thunder and Nuggets have become intense rivals over the years, leading to some heated and emotional battles on the court. On Friday, tensions between these two teams reached a new level when he appeared to intentionally foul Jokic, sending the three-time MVP to the ground and leading to a scuffle between the two sides.

Nikola Jokic faces Lu Dort and Jaylin Williams

pic.twitter.com/GvHKxeJM28

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 28 February 2026

After a scuffle separated the two sides, the play was reviewed and Dort was ejected from the game after receiving two serious fouls. Dort has since been under heavy scrutiny from fans for his actions against the Nuggets, leading to him breaking his silence on the matter.

“It was a physical game the whole game,” Dort told Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic in Chicago on Tuesday night. “Obviously, there was unnecessary contact that I shouldn’t have made. Getting kicked out of the game hurt me the worst. But yes, it was a high-level game. I’m a competitor, so I compete.”

The 26-year-old wing claimed that the game against Denver was a physical battle with “his limits,” but he also said he “crossed the line” in regards to his play with Jokic.

Not only are NBA fans picking sides on what happened in last week’s game between the Thunder and Nuggets, but Denver head coach David Edelman also shared his thoughts on what happened, calling Dort’s actions “ridiculous.”

“For Dort to take that shot — and then I think from his perspective it was no big deal, how he saw it — is ridiculous,” Edelman said. “That was malicious. It was a cheap shot. Lou Dort is a great player, and I haven’t seen him do that before.”

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault responded to the criticism surrounding Dort’s ejection from Friday’s game, saying the incident was the result of a “chippy game” and “things escalate like that sometimes.” Daigneault did not comment on whether he felt Dort’s actions were unnecessary or excessive, leading officials to eject him from the game.

Speaking with Lorenzi in Chicago on Tuesday, Dort responded to the perception many people have of him calling him a dirty player.

“It’s a tough job for me to guard the best players every night,” Dort said. “I don’t think I’m dirty. I can’t control the media. The media always wants some kind of attention or something. They want that buzz. I can’t control it…

“I’m not dirty.”

No further action was taken by the NBA for what happened between the Thunder and Nuggets, as Dort played against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, recording four points and five rebounds in a 116-108 Oklahoma City victory.

On Tuesday evening, the Denver Nuggets got back into the win column with a narrow road win over the Utah Jazz. Nikola Jokic once again filled the stat sheet in this one, scoring 22 points with 12 rebounds and five assists in the win.

There was a controversial moment late in the game when Jazz guard Keyonte George was attempting to box out Jokic on a free throw rebound, after which Jokic essentially took a piggyback ride, causing both players to fall to the floor, and drawing outrage from fans in attendance.

Nikola Jokic and Keyontae George tangled in the box out. 🤣

(h/t @CourtsideBuzzX)

pic.twitter.com/YCk7a5XdAx

– Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) 3 March 2026

After the game, Jazz coach Will Hardy spoke about the difficult challenge of keeping the Joker in control, especially with smaller players like George.

“There are some other teams in the league that have defended [Nikola] With the little things and it’s about trying to wear him down, make the catch difficult… If you know a good coverage for Jokic, please email me,” Oh No He Didn’t on X, Hardy previously said on Twitter.

Some fans on social media termed this drama as dirty. Making matters more ironic was the fact that Jokic was involved in another brawl the previous week against the Oklahoma City Thunder, when Oklahoma City forward Lou Dort attempted a blatant cheap shot by going past Jokic’s legs while jogging on the court, leading to a heated altercation between the two teams and Dort being ejected.

Meanwhile, through the many chaotic plays he has been involved in recently, Jokic is getting back to his MVP form after a bit of a slow start as he recently returned from a knee injury that sidelined him for a month.

The Nuggets currently sit at 38-24 on the season. They will next take the field on Thursday evening in a home match against the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA时代之间的争论似乎不会很快结束。从球迷、媒体到球员本身，每个人都炮制出了为什么一个时代比另一个时代更好的理由。前 NBA 球员杰夫·蒂格是最近介入这场争论的声音之一，他引用丹佛掘金队球星尼古拉·约基奇作为波士顿凯尔特人队传奇人物拉里·伯德这样的人在今天的比赛中没有问题的主要原因。

在 Club 520 播客最近一集中，杰夫·蒂格表示，他相信，由于人们普遍认为尼古拉·约基奇和洛杉矶湖人队球星卢卡·东契奇的运动能力不强，拉里·伯德将像他效力凯尔特人队时一样具有统治力。

“有时我经常看老年人打球，我会想，‘他不擅长运动，他不是这样的。’”但当我看约基奇时，就好像他在四处走动，他只是让一切看起来如此简单，”蒂格说。 “如果拉里·伯德现在上场，卢卡和约基奇就只是走来走去。拉里·伯德场均得分会是 30、10 和 8。”

蒂格还进一步澄清了他的“走来走去”言论，他的意思是约基奇和东契奇并不真正依赖运动能力来表现出色，他们使用的是技巧。

无论如何，伯德已经被认为是有史以来最伟大的球员之一。在伤病开始影响他的职业生涯之前，他在 NBA 效力了 13 年，全部效力于凯尔特人队。他帮助凯尔特人队三夺 NBA 总冠军，赢得三项 MVP 奖项，成为 1979-80 年度最佳新秀，并在除一个赛季外的所有赛季中入选全明星。

他职业生涯场均得到24.3分、10.0个篮板、6.3次助攻和1.7次抢断，投篮命中率为49.6%，三分球命中率为37.6%，罚球命中率为88.6%。

Nikola Jokic continues to rewrite the NBA record books at a pace that truly feels illegal. During the Denver Nuggets’ stunning 128-125 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday night, the Serbian center officially tied the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s mark, and he did it in almost halftime.

Entering the contest at the Delta Center, Jokic was just one game shy of breaking the record for most games with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in NBA history. After a hard-fought 36 minutes on the floor, he walked away with exactly 22 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. This performance is the 322nd 20/10/5 game of his career, which brings him level with the captain.

The most astonishing part of this achievement is not just the output, but also the efficiency. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar needed 1,560 games to set that mark. Jokic has reached this peak in only 792 games. While Jamal Murray made headlines on the night with a big 45-point explosion, including eight triples and the go-ahead free throw, Jokic’s steady hand kept the Nuggets afloat as they held off a late Jazz rally.

Despite the depleted roster, Utah didn’t make it easy. Keyonte George exploded for 36 points and nearly forced overtime, but Jokic remained composed under pressure. Despite five fouls late in the fourth quarter, he managed to secure the board and hit two clutch free throws with six seconds remaining to seal the win.

Denver has relied heavily on its superstars this season and Jokic has not disappointed. He currently leads the league in rebounds and assists, looking like the favorite for another MVP trophy. Now with the record tied, all eyes are on Thursday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. If history is any indication, Jokic won’t be tied down for long.

It doesn’t look like the debate between NBA eras will be ending any time soon. Everyone from fans, media, and the players themselves have pondered why one era is better than another. Former NBA player Jeff Teague was one of the most recent voices to join the debate, citing Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic as the main reason why someone like Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird would have no problem in today’s game.

During a recent episode of the Club 520 podcast, Jeff Teague expressed his belief that Larry Bird will be as impactful as he was when he suited up for the Celtics, due to the perceived perception of Nikola Jokic and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic not being very athletic to speak of.

“Sometimes I’d watch older guys play, and I’d think, ‘He’s not athletic, he’s not like that.’ But then when I watch Jokic, it seems like he’s moving around, he makes it look so easy,” Teague said. “If Larry Bird played right now, Luka and Jokic would just be hanging out. Larry Bird would have averaged 30, 10 and eight.”

Teague clarified his ‘wandering’ comment a bit more, saying he meant that Jokic and Doncic don’t rely on athleticism to be truly great, they use skill work.

In any case, Bird is already considered one of the greatest players to ever play the game. He played for 13 years in the NBA with the Celtics before injuries derailed his career. He helped lead the Celtics to three NBA championships, won three MVP awards, was the 1979–80 Rookie of the Year, and was named an All-Star in all but one season.

He has career averages of 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.7 steals on 49.6 percent shooting from the field, 37.6 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 88.6 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, two players who have jockeyed for the top spot in the NBA MVP rankings all season, have played two games against each other so far this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder and SGA claimed the first matchup, setting up a highly anticipated game between these two foes on Friday.

Once again, the Thunder were victorious over the Denver Nuggets, winning 127–121 in overtime. Although Jokic had 23 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists in the game for his league-leading 22nd triple-double of the season, it was Gilgeous-Alexander who grabbed the headlines with 36 points in his first game after suffering an abdominal strain before the All-Star break.

It was a big game for Gilgeous-Alexander to get back into action, but this head-to-head matchup against the three-time MVP certainly mattered to the defending league MVP. Besides being a chance for the Thunder to extend their lead in the Western Conference standings, it was a chance for Gilgeous-Alexander to prove that he should win back-to-back MVP awards.

Well, after another strong performance against Jokic and the Nuggets, the Oklahoma City star is back in the top spot in the NBA MVP rankings with six weeks remaining in the regular season.

There are two more showdowns left against these two MVP candidates, and these battles will undoubtedly carry equal importance in helping determine this year’s MVP. However, there is still an outside chance for others to steal the first-place votes.

Cade Cunningham is having a great season and has extended the Detroit Pistons’ lead to the 1st-seed in the East. Jaylen Brown has led the Boston Celtics to the second-best record in the East without Jayson Tatum, and Luka Doncic leads the league in scoring for the Los Angeles Lakers.

And then there’s Victor Wembanyama, who continues to lead the San Antonio Spurs, who are just three games behind Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder in the West standings, and who has dominated Oklahoma City this season.

Can any of these other MVP candidates surpass Jokic or Gilgeous-Alexander over the next several weeks? This is where the MVP rankings currently stand, now that SGA is back on top.

Previous 2023-24 NBA MVP Rankings: Week 18 | Week 17 | Week 16 | Week 15 | Week 14 | Week 13 | Week 12 | Week 11 | Week 10 | Week 9 | Week 8 | Week 7 | Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | week 1

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder*

Previous ranking: #2

2025-26 season stats: 51 games, 31.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 55.1 FG%, 38.1 3P%

*Only a maximum of 6 more games can be left to remain eligible.

Gilgeous-Alexander missed nine consecutive games before returning against Jokic and the Nuggets on Friday night, meaning he is only allowed to miss six more games for the remainder of the season to remain eligible for season-ending honors and awards such as MVP.

Gilgeous-Alexander did not look stiff at any point in this game, as he made 12 of 29 shots from the floor and scored 36 points, while also recording nine assists. He followed that performance up with another 30-point performance on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks, leading Oklahoma City to two consecutive wins.

The Thunder are now three games ahead of the Spurs for the 1-seed in the Western Conference, and Gilgeous-Alexander has moved closer to history with his two big-scoring performances since returning from injury.

Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored at least 20 points in 123 straight games, meaning he is three games away from tying Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 126 consecutive games with 20-plus points.

2. Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets*

Previous ranking: #1

2025-26 season stats: 45 games, 28.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 10.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 57.0 FG%, 40.1 3P%

*A maximum of 1 more game can be missed to remain eligible.

As good as Jokic’s numbers may look, he hasn’t looked like himself since returning from his hyperextended left knee.

In the 13 games that Jokic has played since returning from a knee injury, the Nuggets star has averaged 26.8 points, 13.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game, while shooting 49 percent from the floor. Obviously, these are MVP-like stats, but what stands out is his 4.1 turnovers per game during this span.

Jokic’s efficiency has declined, his shooting splits have decreased, and turnovers are a concern. Needless to mention, Denver is not playing well overall and is now down to the 5-seed in the Western Conference.

These are the main reasons why Jokic has fallen behind Gilgeous-Alexander in the MVP race.

3. Cade Cunningham – Detroit Pistons

Previous ranking: #3

2025-26 season stats: 53 games, 25.5 points, 9.8 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 46.0 FG%, 33.2 3P%

Besides Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, if there is another player who needs to be voted for MVP this season, it has to be Cade Cunningham. Aside from the “feel-good” story with the Detroit Pistons, Cunningham has arguably been the best full guard in the league this season, making a greater two-way impact than Gilgeous-Alexander.

Only Jokic has provided more assists than Cunningham this year, and what the Pistons’ star has done to lead his team to the top of the East standings is remarkable. Not only is he doing this with his scoring, but Cade has set a tough standard for how the Pistons will play every night.

He doesn’t back down from any opponent and Cunningham takes on his opponent for the full 48 minutes and puts all the pressure of the game on them. It’s what’s allowed Jalen Duren to have a breakout All-Star campaign, and it’s what’s allowed this young Pistons team to suddenly go from being the favorite to make it to the NBA Finals in the East.

Between rarely missing a game and being on the team with the best winning percentage in the entire NBA, Cunningham is definitely in the MVP race with SGA and Jokic. Quite honestly, if you look at the MVP race from the perspective of a player who has exceeded expectations at the top of the league, Cunningham Is MVP. If you ask JB Bickerstaff, he’d agree.

4. Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs*

Previous ranking: #4

2025-26 season stats: 46 games, 23.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 50.1 FG%, 34.1 3P%

*Can only miss a maximum of 4 more games to remain eligible.

Since the All-Star break, Victor Wembanyama has averaged 19.2 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game, while shooting 42.7 percent from the floor. His plus-minus stats over his last six games are among the best in the league, but Wembley’s MVP case has unfortunately come down to where the San Antonio Spurs finish in the West standings.

Should the Spurs move on from Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, it would be difficult to deny Wembley the MVP award as he will have the numbers and best record in the NBA to back it up.

However, for the moment, what Gilgeous-Alexander has done with the best record in the West is surpassing Vembanyama’s success. While many would argue that this is an individual award that should be given to the league’s best player throughout the season, team success always plays a role in the race for this award each year.

This season is no different, and while Wembley can increase his MVP odds by racking up his playoffs in the stretch run of the season, the Spurs will still need to pass the Thunder in the standings to win the MVP.

5. Luka Doncic – Los Angeles Lakers*

Previous ranking: #5

2025-26 season stats: 48 games, 32.5 points, 8.6 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 47.3 FG%, 36.0 3P%

*Can only miss a maximum of 5 more games to remain eligible.

The only MVP case for Luka Doncic at this point might be that he leads the league in scoring, and his nearly triple-double numbers are the best of his career. While both of those things may be true, one can’t argue with Doncic being ahead of any of the other four players in the MVP rankings.

Not only is Doncic behind the level of play of Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, but expectations for both Cunningham and Wembanyama make more sense in this race as well. In addition, the Los Angeles Lakers have not been playing well recently and are in danger of falling into the play-in zone of the West standings.

Very few players have won the MVP award while their team was not at the top of the league standings, and those who did had historic seasons that will forever be remembered in NBA history. That’s not the case with Doncic this year.

just missing the cut

6. Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics [Ranked No. 6 last week]

7. Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves [Ranked No. 8 last week]

8. Donovan Mitchell – Cleveland Cavaliers [Ranked No. 7 last week]

9. Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks [Ranked No. 9 last week]

10. Kevin Durant – Houston Rockets [Ranked No. 10]

*Signals players are in danger of meeting the 65-game minimum threshold for awards/accolades.

The Denver Nuggets are currently facing a challenging stretch, having lost six of their last nine games, including a 117-108 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. This slump has dropped them to fifth place in the Western Conference standings. Last week’s 128-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors highlighted late-game execution issues, with star center Nikola Jokic initially concerned about the team’s difficulty making open shots during key moments.

However, as per a report by Rachel Strand and noted by ClutchPoints, Jokic now views these struggles as a positive development for the defending champions.

Commenting on the team’s recent performance, he said, “It’s a good thing to happen. You’ll start worrying; you’ll start caring more. The struggle is good… you’ll play a little harder and better.”

“It’s a good thing to happen. You’ll start worrying, you’ll start caring more. The struggle is good… you’ll play a little harder and better.”

Nikola Jokic is going through a tough time on the Nuggets 🗣️

(via @milehighrachel) pic.twitter.com/LPme5cmXKH

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 2 March 2026

This perspective suggests the reigning MVP believes the current challenges can help eliminate complacency and sharpen the team’s focus on the postseason.

Guard Christian Braun also echoed this sentiment after last week’s game, emphasizing that the Nuggets’ challenges stemmed more from a lack of physicality and “not holding our spots” than from flaws in their overall gameplay.

With important matchups scheduled against the Utah Jazz and the strong Los Angeles Lakers, the Nuggets must find a way to increase their strength.

Jokic remains optimistic that experiencing the pressure of these defeats will ultimately motivate the team to improve its performance when it matters most.

Friday’s marquee meeting between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets came to a head in the fourth quarter when Lu Dort and Nikola Jokic got into a physical altercation.

Dort was ejected for his roughing foul, while Jokic and Jaylin Williams, who were involved in the fight, were each called for technical fouls. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 127–121 in overtime.

A day later, Williams shared several photos from the competition on Instagram, including one of her being restrained by her coaches. She captioned the post, “Yeah, okay.”

He was immediately mocked by Nuggets fans.

“Imagine Nikola Jokic running to Instagram to post after a fight in a game,” @NuggetsLead said, adding a screenshot of Williams’ post.

Imagine Nikola Jokic running to Instagram to post after fight in game pic.twitter.com/u28PxRZMpe

– Nuggets Lead (@NuggetsLead) 1 March 2026

“Jokic will never happen. So disgusting,” @JB_DenverSports echoed.

“This is the biggest moment of his career,” @DDelgado38697 said.

“Jokic by 1st round KO,” @ashebabes wrote, adding a photo of Jokic that quickly became a meme.

Jokic by first round KO pic.twitter.com/dtqNixH97u

– AsheBTC (@ashebabes) 1 March 2026

“They’re a bunch of unlikeable guys like the Thunder team,” @cammart32 posted.

@Ballknower240 said, “And them all reposting it is really bullshit.”

Williams had a strong game against the Nuggets, scoring 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including two three-pointers, five rebounds, three assists and a block in 26 minutes off the bench. He also helped limit Jokic to 9-of-25 shooting.

The three-time MVP finished with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists.

The Thunder, who are looking to defend their title, have won the first two faceoffs against the Nuggets this season. They will meet again on March 9 and April 10.

After their heated feud, a bitter rivalry could form, especially after Oklahoma City defeated Denver in the second round of the playoffs last season.

Denver Nuggets head coach David Edelman has not defended All-Star Nikola Jokic for his reaction to Lou Dort’s headed 2 in Friday’s 127-121 overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. During his postgame press conference, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault never criticized Dort for his hard-2. Instead, Daigneault hoped that the play would be called the same way if it was reversed, with no malicious intent.

Jokic retaliated by getting in Dort’s face. After this, a scuffle started between Thunder center Jaylin Williams and players of both the teams had to separate. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Edelman understands why Jokic reached his peak during the fourth quarter of the game, when tension was high between the Thunder and Nuggets.

“Yeah, I think that’s him,” Edelman said. “He’s a more measured guy throughout the season — I think most guys are. If they’re measured they’re more productive. But there’s a point where we play these games, and he tackles anybody on the night [would] React that way. For Dort to take that shot – and then I guess it was no big deal from his perspective, how he saw it – is ridiculous.

“He was malicious. It was a cheap shot. Lou Dort is a great player, and I haven’t seen him do that before. But at some point, you’ve got to stand up for yourself, and so does the team. They’re a great team. That game itself was like that. But, yeah, Nicola, he’s who he is, man. You can’t have the success he’s had and you can’t be as competitive. He’s got emotions that he keeps in control, but he’s a guy emotionally. Very capable and very willing to provide feedback.”

For this, Lou Dort was thrown out. pic.twitter.com/6JO8h2odv8

– SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) 28 February 2026

Apparently, the Nuggets’ David Edelman is not happy with how the Thunder responded to Dort’s foul after the game. When Jokic was asked about it by a reporter during media availability after the game, he didn’t hold back.

“There’s no such thing – I think things like that shouldn’t happen on a basketball floor,” Jokic said after the game. “So, it was an unnecessary move by me and a necessary reaction.”

The Thunder will host the Nuggets again on March 9 at Paycom Center.

Mark Daigneault’s opinion on the ejection of Thunder’s Lou Dort

After Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault called Lou Dort’s flagrant 2 on Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic uncharacteristic of him, All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said he didn’t see the play that made Jokic angry. Nuggets head coach David Edelman would probably have a different opinion. Officials deemed Dort’s play beyond the reach of the Nuggets’ MVP candidate, ruling out the veteran guard after an extensive review.

After the game, Daigneault chalked up Dort’s play to the Thunder guard’s competitive nature amid the fourth quarter of a physical matchup against the Nuggets.

“That was a weird game. These are two teams that played each other in a seven-game series. We’re in the same division. We’ve played each other 100 times,” Daigneault said. “They know our playbook. We know their playbook. It is what it is. It’s going to be an imperfect game, and things escalate like that sometimes. I know Lu [Dort]. I know [Nikola] Jokic.

“I know J-Will. I don’t think anybody is trying to hurt anybody; they’re just great competitors. It just ended up being over. I think it was nothing more than that.”

The Thunder will face the Mavericks on the road on Sunday.

Friday night’s NBA slate featured a showdown between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The two teams have developed a rivalry in recent years, and with each matchup, the games are becoming more intense.

Tension rose Friday when Nuggets center Nikola Jokic ran onto the court. The Thunder’s Lu Dort supported Jokic, causing him to fall to the floor. Jokic stood up and punched Dort in anger. Jaylin Williams attempted to interfere, and he and Jokic shoved and grabbed each other’s jerseys before officials and team personnel separated them.

The normally mild-mannered Jokic took some time to address the tense situation after the game.

“Unnecessary move, and a necessary reaction,” Jokic said. “There’s no such thing – I think things like that shouldn’t happen on a basketball floor. So it was just an unnecessary step and a necessary reaction by me.”

Tension rises in battle between Nuggets, Thunder

After a video review, officials upgraded the foul on Dort to a flagrant 2, triggering an automatic ejection with 8:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. Crew chief James Williams said the contact was unnecessary, excessive and had a high potential for injury. Jokic and Williams each received technical fouls for their roles in the ensuing scandal.

Lu Dort was ejected after fouling Nikola Jokic on this play.

Nikola Jokic and Jaylin Williams both received technical fouls. pic.twitter.com/ZFyNHpigsM

– ESPN (@espn) 28 February 2026

Despite the fourth quarter struggles, Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists. Jamal Murray led Denver in scoring with 39 points in 47 minutes.

The Nuggets ultimately fell behind, falling 121–127 in overtime.

The Nuggets and Thunder will face each other twice before the end of the regular season. The way things went on Friday, the last two matches between these teams are shaping up to be completely cinematic.

In a rare moment of on-court anger, Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic lost his temper in their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, and fans’ reactions to it are epic.

During his 11 years in the NBA, Jokic has become not only one of the greatest centers to ever play the game, but one of the best ballplayers the league has ever produced. There’s no better proof of his elite status than being an eight-time All-Star, three-time NBA MVP and leading the Nuggets to their only championship in 2023.

Still, what has made Jokic’s rise to great status so unique is that he has done it with a very calm and almost robotic approach to the game. Although he may complain to the referee with some regularity, he rarely goes too far or too little with his emotions. However, that changed on Friday night vs. the Thunder.

In the fourth quarter of a highly competitive game between two NBA Finals contenders, the Thunder forward continued the questionable play he is known for by delivering a hip check to the Nuggets center as he began running down the court after OKC scored. This move really wore Jokic down, and it brought out an anger in him that fans had never seen before.

Nikola Jokic immediately got to his feet to confront Dort and the Thunder player was forced to retreat in anger. However, his teammate Jaylin Williams came to his rescue. This definitely created a new GIF on social media as the Denver star’s face looked almost mentally disturbed, like the Batman villain nicknamed The Joker.

Of course, social media being what it is, NBA fans weren’t going to let that wild moment go without opinions, and some fans had some hilarious thoughts on Jokic becoming the Joker we all want.

In an Instagram post from SportsCenter’s account, fans posted crazy clown faces Batman: The Animated Seriesleonardo dicaprio in the the wolf of wall streetHeath Ledger’s great performance dark knightAnd a young Ozzy Osbourne.

In reference to the comments _SeanGregory suggested Jokic was telling Williams, “I’ll feed you to my horses.” WarriorsStock commented, “Jokic looks like someone stole one of his horses.” While Lawrence Johnson said, “Brother turned into Hitman 47 very quickly.”

In an Instagram post for ESPN at the time, KennyChaojr said, “Jock brothers red eye ok 🙂.” Coolken40 said, “Jokic wanted to eat his liver with some lima beans.” And Nest.G said, “Absolutely lol. Dort nasty!”

Suffice it to say, fans loved seeing Nikola Jokic in full Joker mode, especially against a player like Dort, who has earned a lot of frustration from fans for his playing style this season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

OKLAHOMA CITY – Following Friday’s 127-121 win in overtime, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault gave his honest opinion on Lou Dort’s fourth quarter ejection for a scuffle with Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic. The two were forced to separate, which led to a physical altercation between Thunder centers Jaylin Williams and Jokic. Both centers received double technical fouls, while Dort’s night ended in the fourth quarter.

Daigneault addressed Dort after the victory fourth trimester ejection Coming off of their seven-game series in the Western Conference Semifinals, he reminded reporters how familiar his Thunder team is to the Nuggets.

“That was a weird game. These are two teams that played each other in a seven-game series. We’re in the same division. We’ve played each other 100 times,” Daigneault said. “They know our playbook. We know their playbook. It is what it is. It’s going to be an imperfect game, and things escalate like that sometimes. I know Lu [Dort]. I know [Nikola] Jokic.

“I know J-Will. I don’t think anybody is trying to hurt anybody; they’re just great competitors. It just ended up being over. I think it was nothing more than that.”

Jaylin Williams and Nikola Jokic just went here to OKC.

Both could have been ejected after Williams came to the defense of Lou Dort. The fight is still under review pic.twitter.com/1zxS2glQJT

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 28 February 2026

One could argue that Nikola Jokic took his frustration out on Lou Dort’s lead-2 layup on Williams, who defended his teammate, as most centers in the NBA do. This likely played into the referee’s decision to keep Jokic in the game, causing him and Jaylin to be slapped with a double technical foul.

Daigneault’s only hope is that if the situation were reversed, Jokic would be heading to the locker room because of a major-2.

“I will say this: If J-Will is running upfield and slips, we expect a flagrant -2 from this point forward. That’s all,” Daigneault said. “If that’s the precedent, if it becomes a malicious game, and Major-2 is the line in the sand on that, then we would expect that if it’s J-Will. We would expect that if it’s anyone. And if that’s the case, we’re good.”

Mark Daigneault’s honest opinion on Lu Dort’s ejection after scuffling with Nikola Jokic: “I will say this: If J-Will is running the floor and slips up, we expect a flagrant -2 from this point forward.

That is all.” pic.twitter.com/HFTcdINFdN

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 28 February 2026

Williams finished with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block off the bench before closing out the Thunder’s victory in overtime.

Mark Daigneault missing overtime on Thunder’s SGA

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault sat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in overtime of Friday’s win against the Nuggets. Due to an abdominal injury that caused him to miss the Thunder’s last nine games, Gilgeous-Alexander was on a one-minute ban that went on unannounced before the defending champions’ showdown against the Nuggets.

Daigneault explained what was a factor in the Thunder decision Gilgeous-Alexander was benched after the fourth quarter.

“He’s coming off a 24-day injury. He’s coming back to play. One of the conditions to get him on the court tonight is to hold him to a certain point in terms of minutes,” Daigneault said. “We actually discussed that situation with both him and [Hartenstein] Before the game. Just so we can all be clear, in a non-emotional moment, that if we were in that situation, this is what we would do.

“We obviously did that. I understand it’s a little unconventional, but, at the end of the day, we’re trying to prioritize the health of our players as they come back from injury.”

Mark Daigneault on SGA sitting out in OT: “He’s coming off a 24-day injury. Getting back to playing. One of the conditions to get him on the court tonight is to keep him at a certain point in terms of minutes.

“We actually discussed that situation with both him and [Hartenstein]” pic.twitter.com/WjoOQwiwO9

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 28 February 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander’s 36 points, nine assists, three rebounds, two blocks and two steals led to a 16-point comeback by the Thunder in the second half before the defending champions won in overtime without their reigning MVP.

On Friday, defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder faces Denver Nuggets. A highly publicized matchup Between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. Tension increased between the two superstars during the game.

Since SGA was moving the ball and Jokic was protected by SGA was seen Throwing the ball to Jokic, according to ClutchPoints. As a result, they faced technical glitches.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander suffered a technical foul after throwing the ball at Nikola Jokic.

pic.twitter.com/GJR6JpV89f

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 28 February 2026

The Thunder entered the game with the best record in the NBA at 45–15 and had won six of their last 10 games. is sga defending nba mvp And is averaging 31.8 points and 6.4 assists per game.

Furthermore, he In a tight race for MVP With Jokic, according to the ESPN poll. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are 37-22 and in fourth place in the Western Conference. In addition, Jokic is averaging 28.8 points and 10.4 assists per game.

The Thunder are looking to repeat as NBA champions. Additionally, the Nuggets are looking to bounce back from a seven-game loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of last season’s playoffs.

Despite the technical foul, SGA and Jokic have shown mutual respect in various capacities. jokic praised openly SGA capabilities in a TikTok video. Many experts are also anticipating the departure of SGA and Jokic. down to the wire In the NBA MVP.

SGA looks to become the first back-to-back MVP since Jokic in 2021 and 2022.

On Sunday, the Thunder will take the field to play against the Dallas Mavericks. After that, they will play the Chicago Bulls on the road.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Ahead of Friday’s showdown between MVP candidate Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets and All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder, coach David Edelman had an interesting thing to say. Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander are recovering from injuries that have kept them out of a lot of games. Many wondered whether any of them would be able to reach the NBA’s 65-game requirement to qualify for the MVP award.

For the third consecutive season, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic are the two leading candidates for MVP. Before Friday’s matchup, Edelman addressed the league 65-game regular-season requirement For NBA awards and how it could affect Jokic and SGA’s tight race.

“The rules weren’t made for them. They both got hurt. They both play all the time. So, that part of it — maybe we have to look at that. I really mean that. That’s one of the best things about both guys,” Edelman said. “When a fan buys a ticket, they’re going to play. And they’ve done that for years, and our guy’s been doing that for a very long time. Him missing a game, him missing a practice, him missing a workout, it’s really tough on that guy.

“He’s a regular-based player, which is good for our game, good for the fans, and Shai is the same way. That’s one of the most impressive things about both guys. So, when both guys get hurt, I don’t look at it as a comfort. I think there’s a difference, and I know why the rule is there — it’s to clean things up. It makes sense to me and to the fan.”

While the 65-game rule forces teams to play their stars regardless of their record, Nuggets coach David Edelman understands the importance of fans attending games. He doesn’t think this rule should apply to guys like Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander, who rarely miss games intentionally.

“It’s the worst when your bus is parking, and you see kids in jerseys, and they show up, and that guy doesn’t play,” Edelman said. “I look at it both ways, but in the spirit of the game, I think Shai and Nicola have been great for the league over the years. I hope that’s taken into account as we move forward.”

David Edelman’s strong opinion on SGA and Jokic’s MVP race in relation to the NBA’s 65-game rule: “The rule wasn’t made for them. They both get hurt. They both play all the time. So, that part of it – maybe we have to take a look at that…

There is a difference and I know why the rule is… pic.twitter.com/IWRsNt7krz

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 28 February 2026

Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander return for Nuggets

After missing the past nine games, Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns from an abdominal injury for Friday’s contest against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. It’s always must-see TV when Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic are going at it.

After last year’s Western Conference Semifinals best-of-7 series, where the Thunder and Nuggets played Game 7 at Paycom Center, this should be another playoff-like intensity with SGA and Jokic taking center stage.

The Denver Nuggets’ final game troubles continued on Sunday as the team missed another opportunity in crunch time during a 128-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Despite Nikola Jokic scoring 35 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists, the Nuggets could not perform when it mattered most.

The Nuggets have lost six of their last nine games and their star player is not holding back from making his point.

“I’m definitely worried because we’re losing games,” Jokic said. “We’re losing games, and we’re not making open looks. So it’s something we need to change. … I don’t know what it is, but we need to figure it out.”

After the loss, guard Christian Braun cited a lack of physicality and positioning as the root cause of Denver’s struggles.

“I think there’s been a lot of things this year that we haven’t been able to hold down,” Braun said. “Not being tough enough.” “It has nothing to do with our process. It has nothing to do with anything other than our need to keep our place.”

The Warriors took advantage of Denver’s defensive flaws, with Brandin Podziemski scoring 12 points in the final five minutes to seal the win.

Now sitting at 36-22, the Nuggets face a turning point ahead. After a few days’ rest, they will face Boston Celtics at home on Wednesday. Then on Friday they face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who currently have the league’s best record.

As the playoffs approach and the Nuggets want to maintain their legitimate contender status, they will have to find a way to close out these games.

The Denver Nuggets needed a response after a tough loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

He presented one emphatically. On Friday night, the Nuggets destroyed the Portland Trail Blazers 157-103.

Nikola Jokic led the way and produced his best performance since returning from injury. He finished the night with 32 points on 10 of 15 shooting. He was also 3-of-4 from three-point range.

“We played really well. Everybody stepped up, everybody played with a lot of energy,” Jokic said. “The defense was playing at a high level. We were making shots. We had a good start, in fact, it was a perfect game for us.”

Nuggets bounce back with huge win over Trail Blazers

The Nuggets’ 157 points are the most points scored by any team this season. From a franchise perspective, this is the seventh-highest score in franchise history. The 54-point margin of victory is also the second largest in franchise history.

“We were creating open looks. The ball was going in, that’s when you feel confident,” Jokic added. “We were there playing for each other.”

The entire Nuggets roster had a stellar performance, with seven players finishing the night in double figures. Jamal Murray was lethal from deep, scoring 6 of 12 on three-point attempts. He would finish the night with 25 points, six rebounds and six assists. Julian Strother, who was placed in the starting lineup, continued his hot streak with 19 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Whenever Strother was on the court, the Nuggets were an amazing +48.

The Nuggets will conclude their short road trip by visiting the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

The Moda Center felt like a dream sequence Friday night when Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen finally came face to face with his basketball idol, Nikola Jokic. For Hansen, a 7-foot-1 center often dubbed the “Chinese Jokic” for his excellent passing and high basketball IQ, it wasn’t just another game on the schedule; It was a meeting that took months in the making.

The two ran into each other near mid-court during pregame warmups, a light-hearted moment that certainly calmed some of the 20-year-old rookie’s nerves. Hansen has been vocal about his admiration for the Denver Nuggets superstar since Portland selected him 16th overall last summer.

Yang Hansen has revealed how much he admires Nikola Jokic. The two are meeting before tonight’s game here in Portland. pic.twitter.com/XkTgri9gS4

– Katy Winge (@katywinge) 21 February 2026

He even famously joked during All-Star weekend that he “can’t wait to kiss” the three-time MVP. Jock, always wise, had previously set a humorous condition for a photo op: he would only take a photo if Hansen promised to play poorly against him.

There are a lot of worthy candidates and compelling storylines in the 2025-26 NBA MVP race, so much so that some fans think the award is theirs. The latest ESPN straw poll suggests otherwise. Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in position to retain his crown.

A panel consisting of 100 local, national and international media members believe the 27-year-old guard is the man responsible for the beating. Gilgeous-Alexander received 78 first-place votes, surpassing Nikola Jokic (18), Cade Cunningham (1), Victor Vembanyama (3) and the rest of the field. With a lead of 230 points, the consensus is that a player will earn MVP honors in back-to-back seasons for the seventh time since 2006.

A lot has changed since ESPN’s initial survey in December. Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic were locked in a tight battle, with only 15 first-place votes and 43 total points separating the former from the latter. Luka Doncic also secured third place. Due to another injury, the NBA’s scoring leader (points per game) lost much of the lead and fell to fifth in the second poll. The Los Angeles Lakers’ position in the Western Conference standings (fifth) may be a factor.

The Thunder have held first place in the West throughout the season (although the San Antonio Spurs are close). Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player predicted by many to become the league’s first repeat champion in eight years. Stability is also working in their favor.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can easily overtake his competitors

Although the 2025 NBA Finals MVP is currently dealing with an abdominal strain, he has only missed seven games to this point in the campaign. Jokic is dangerously close to falling below the mandatory 65-game requirement (with only one more contest to go), and Wembanyama and Doncic don’t have much room for themselves. Cunningham, who has played in 48 of 54 possible games, could emerge as Gilgeous-Alexander’s biggest competition.

It’s important to note that these votes were tallied before the Detroit Pistons cornerstone rolled into Madison Square Garden and torched the New York Knicks for 42 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds and two blocks. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to recover from his injury, Cade Cunningham has the perfect opportunity to delight voters with his superbly versatile skill set. He is also leading the team that currently has the best record in the NBA.

The Thunder and Pistons face off next Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena, but based on the latest updates, OKC could be without their top man for that potential MVP showcase. Cunningham can still dominate and find grace, which he will need a lot of if there is to be any suspense around this awards race.

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 55.4 percent from the field (career high) and 39.0 percent from 3-point range. The three-time All-NBA First-Team selection is truly in the midst of a stellar performance, and his trophy collection reflects as much. Assuming he can return to action soon, Gilgeous-Alexander may need to make room for more hardware.

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic hit back at his critics over his level of commitment to basketball.

Jokic is playing the 11th season of his NBA career with the Nuggets. He earned his place as one of the best players in the entire league, often making it look easy with his elite skill set.

How simple it seems has left critics debating whether the veteran superstar has cared enough about the game over the past few seasons. Jokic finally addressed those things during an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, and dismissed the idea that he doesn’t care.

“There are a lot of people who say, ‘Well how much does he care?'” Andrews asked.

Joc responded, “I care a lot. …I think if you don’t care about winning you shouldn’t be in this game.”

“There are a lot of people who say, ‘Well, how much does he care?'”—@malika_andrews

“I care a lot. …I think if you don’t care about winning you shouldn’t be in this game.” -Nikola Jokic 🏀 pic.twitter.com/oASUyjZSCf

– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 18 February 2026

What’s next for Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets?

It’s clear that Nikola Jokic has proven himself to be a dedicated winner in the NBA for a long time. That was especially the case throughout his tenure with the Nuggets, leading them to the mountaintop with a 2023 championship.

Jokic continues to be remarkable throughout the 2025-26 season. He averaged 28.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 39 games. He is shooting 59% from the field, including 42% from beyond the arc and 84% from the free-throw line.

Denver compiled a 35–20 record on the season and finished third in the Western Conference standings. They are one game up on the Houston Rockets and 1.5 games up on the Los Angeles Lakers. However, they trail the San Antonio Spurs by 3.5 games and the Oklahoma City Thunder by 6.5 games.

With the All-Star break over, the Nuggets will resume action with a three-game road trip. They will face the Los Angeles Clippers on February 19 at 10:30 PM ET, the Portland Trail Blazers on February 20 at 10 PM ET, and the Golden State Warriors on February 22 at 3:30 PM ET.

As legendary former player Shaquille O’Neal has dropped the mic on a variety of topics, it can’t be denied that his opinion is valued in the basketball world. O’Neal is known for his opinions about the NBA, with the analyst appearing on another show to debate topics involving current NBA big men.

On the show “Unsportsmanship”, O’Neal will be asked about the return of the league ideal of the “big man”, which the former player represents to a tee. However, O’Neal pushed back on that notion, saying the only two who fall into that category are Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.

“Stop it, the big man is not back,” O’Neal said Tuesday. “Because nobody posts up. Just because you’re seven foot and hitting jumpers doesn’t make you a big man. [Nikola Jokic] He’s the only person I would consider a big man, and Wemby, those two. But I remember when every team had a center, now you have a bunch of guys running, picking and popping in one spot.

“The big guy didn’t come back … because nobody posted up. Just because you’re seven foot and hitting jumpers doesn’t make you a big guy. [Nikola Jokic] He’s the only person I’d consider a big man, and Wemby.”

-Doubt

(via @UnSportsESPN)pic.twitter.com/mirpPrKSH3

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 18 February 2026

Shaquille O’Neal says big men need to ‘play percentage’

O’Neal will talk more about the change in gameplan for many of the league’s centers, which focuses on shooting from mid-range or the three-point line rather than retreating into the paint. He would be asked about whether a player like him could lead a team to a title, with O’Neal responding that it was not about being like him, and how “it’s all about playing percentage.”

O’Neal continued on the show, “It’s all about playing percentages.” “If I’m seven-foot, 300 pounds, and I’m bigger and stronger than everybody else, I want to take higher percentage shots. I want to use my skills to, you know, put the other team in a defensive position… It’s just about being smart. If I’m seven-five, I’m not picking up pops and shooting jumpers over six-one, six-two guys.”

It remains to be seen how the big men develop in the future of the NBA.

Over the weekend, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was in attendance for the NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Jokic played very little for Team World at the festival as he is recovering from a recent knee injury, but he still seemed to enjoy most of the time during the weekend.

Jokic has long been known to be friends with fellow international NBA star Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers, and at one point, the Serbian big man cracked a joke at Doncic’s expense.

“Do you know why Luca [Doncic] Everything follows? Because he bets on everything. Gambling, gambling,” Jokic said on Indiana Pacers star Pascal Siakam’s Instagram page.

Doncic can only be seen shaking his head On digging.

“Do you know why Luca [Doncic] Everything follows? Because he bets on everything. Gamble, gamble.”

– Nikola Jokic ???

(via @pskills43/ig)pic.twitter.com/lQWRQkqLbr

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 17 February 2026

The NBA may be a bit sensitive to gambling-related jokes at the moment due to the recent arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier for alleged gambling activities.

However, that hasn’t stopped the league from going full force on its partnerships with various sportsbooks, with All-Star Saturday Night featuring live betting odds on NBC’s broadcast for various events.

Meanwhile, Jokic and the Nuggets are hoping to make a strong stretch run in the season after enduring a bit of a tough stretch leading up to the All-Star break. Injury problems have not been good for Denver this year, as both Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon are currently out with hamstring injuries.

The team recently brought back Jokic and Cameron Johnson from their injuries, and Jamal Murray has also been in and out of the lineup at times due to various ailments.

In any case, the Nuggets’ regular season resumes on Friday evening on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker earned another individual accolade after helping Team Stars win the title in the All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Booker was the oldest member of Team Stars, which featured the league’s top young players, including Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey and Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren.

During their game against Team World, Booker showed his experience, although in a different way.

Nikola Jokic lost control and may have collided with former President Barack Obama, who was enjoying the game outside the court. Luckily, Booker lovingly pushed Jokic out of the way, bringing a smile to Obama’s face. Booker patted Obama before the hug.

On Instagram, Booker gave a clever explanation of his smart move.

“Secret Service,” the Suns star wrote.

Fans were curious about Booker’s post.

“D-Book for President,” @vonn.2skii said.

“BHM (Black History Month) brownie points,” @d_rench added.

“Next ad! This wasn’t a coincidence. Fits perfectly with the Book2 campaign,” @mizterkool suggested.

“Why are you so different, Book?” asked @thebogoshow.

@darlingnikki0616 commented, “Obama was about to drop the ball ????❤️❤️.”

@austinfritts1 posted, “Top notch security.”

NBA legend Rip Hamilton also reacted, posting four fire emojis.

Obama was among the special guests at the All-Star Game. He also shared a moment with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, who plays for Team Stripes. He even humorously roasted NBA icon Reggie Miller during an interview.

Obama is quite familiar with Booker, as he spent time with Team USA before competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Plus, the former president is quite a basketball fan, so he definitely knows the NBA’s biggest stars.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards added another feat to his cap after being named All-Star Game MVP for the first time. He led Team Stars to the title in the mini tournament at the Intuit Dome on Sunday.

Edwards displayed his all-around talent, scoring 32 points, nine rebounds and three assists in three games. Team Stars avenged their defeat in the round robin by dominating Team Stripes 47–21 in the final.

Meanwhile, Team World lost two of its assignments despite a strong performance from San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama. For Edwards, Team World would have been more competitive if Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic played more.

“No grudges against Luka and Jokic, but they’re two of the best players in the league, and they’re not trying to play in the All-Star Game,” the 24-year-old guard said.

“No complaints against Luka and Jokic, but like the two best players in the league, they don’t try to play in the All-Star Game.”

– Ant Man on World vs USA format https://t.co/y3LMLTBwir pic.twitter.com/TJ6c4dh3qS

– NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) 16 February 2026

Doncic and Jokic failed to gel in Team World’s do-or-die game against Team Stripes. In their opening game against Team Stars, Doncic had two points and two assists, while Jokic did not score and had two rebounds.

Doncic has missed the Lakers’ last four games with a hamstring injury, while Jokic recently returned from a long layoff with a knee injury.

The lack of competition has been the main problem in the All-Star Game, as most players do not take it seriously. The NBA has changed the format several times, including this year, to increase the level of competition, but to no avail.

It doesn’t help that Lakers forward LeBron James made an offhand comment about the staging of this year’s Midseason Classic.

If more players cared as much as Edwards, the All-Star Game would be more watchable.

Nikola Jokic may be a three-time MVP and the defending champion, but even “Joker” knows when he’s in the presence of an otherworldly presence.

During the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome, the Denver Nuggets superstar took his admiration for Victor Wembanyama to a hilarious new level. While the rest of Team World was busy swapping signatures, Jokic approached the San Antonio Spurs with a specific request.

“Where’s the alien? I want an alien,” Jokic was heard saying, referring to Vembanayama’s iconic logo. Without missing a beat, Wembanyama responded, “Say less,” before making his signature allegorical mark on Jokic’s jersey. It was a light-hearted moment between two generational big men who clearly share a huge amount of mutual respect despite being rivals in the Western Conference.

Nikola Jokic got his alien logo on his jersey from Victor Vembanyama, while he got his jersey signed by the entire Team World 😅

Jokic: “Where’s the alien? I want an alien.”

Wemby: “Speak less.”

(via @nba)

pic.twitter.com/mvb7sewNml

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 16 February 2026

While the jersey swap was all smiles, the actual game saw a bit more bite than in recent years. Under the league’s new round-robin format, Vembanyama proved he was not just there for the vibes. The French star led Team World with 14 points and 6 rebounds in the opening matchup against the USA Stars.

The game became a complete thriller, ending in five overtime periods from the first. After Anthony Edwards forced extra frames with a clutch triple, Wembanyama countered with a three-pointer of his own. However, Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors played spoiler, draining a game-ending 3-pointer to secure a 37–35 victory for the Americans.

Vembanyama did not slow down in his second innings of the day. He scored an impressive 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting in a close 48–45 loss to the USA Stripes. He almost forced another overtime, but his last-second attempt from deep fell short as the buzzer sounded.

Jokic, meanwhile, kept things classic, focusing more on facilitating and enjoying the spectacle while playing minimal minutes to manage his health following a knee injury in late December.

The NBA All-Star Weekend festivities are currently taking place in Los Angeles, and Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic is among the participants in Sunday’s main event: the All-Star Game. Jokic was voted the starter for the game despite missing nearly a month due to a knee injury, and it remains to be seen whether the Nuggets star will put a little more effort into the game than in past years.

Also in attendance at the festivities this weekend was former NBA big man DeMarcus Cousins, Jokic’s teammate for a year with the Nuggets, and recently, the star weighed in on who would win in a one-on-one game between him and Jokic if both were in their prime.

“I think it’s an 11-11 tie, because I don’t think either one of us can stop the other one,” Cousins ​​said, according to Ricardo Sandoval of Newsweek, formerly of Newsweek on Twitter.

Indeed, neither Jokic nor Cousins ​​are known as lock-down defenders, but both possess supernatural offensive skills that can torment opponents.

Jokic shouldn’t necessarily be considered an isolated, one-on-one kind of player, having been criticized once this year for kicking out Peyton Watson in a last-second playoff game against the Dallas Mavericks, rather than doing so himself.

However, he is nearly unstoppable around the basket, and has turned himself into one of the league’s best three-point shooters.

Cousins, meanwhile, was a terror in his own right with the Sacramento Kings, intimidating opponents in the paint, and showing the ability to run the floor better than most big men in the league, as well as a feathery touch from the perimeter.

This will definitely be a fun matchup to watch.

In any case, the All-Star Game is scheduled to begin on Sunday at 5:00 PM ET.

On Sunday afternoon, the NBA All-Star Game will take place, with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic among the event’s starters. Jokic will be a member of the “World” team, which includes several star international players, who will compete against stars from the United States.

In that spirit, Jokic recently revealed his Mount Rushmore of international players in NBA history, per ClutchPoints’ David Mendes-Yapkowitz: Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginoble, Hakeem Olajuwon and Tony Parker.

Jokic also listed Pau Gasol as a possible candidate.

The Nuggets star selflessly declined to have his name placed on his Mount Rushmore, but he’ll definitely make a spot on everyone else’s list, considering he’s already brought home three MVPs and an NBA Finals win for Denver fans.

These days, the NBA has become more global than ever, with many viewing the World Team as the clear favorite to win the championship heading into All-Star weekend.

Jokic will be teammates with the likes of Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Vembanyama and Los Angeles Lakers MVP candidate Luka Doncic for the event, among other talented international players. Those players, along with Antetokounmpo, are widely viewed as the five best players in the league today, and the fact that they are all from outside the United States shows how much the game has expanded in recent years.

A big point of discussion heading into this year’s All-Star Game is whether or not the players will put in a better effort than in previous years, with many accusing them of depleting fan attendance by playing below their potential.

Given his performance over the years, Jokic may not be the guy to solve this problem, but the league will hope the USA vs. World format will be enough to motivate players to exert some energy.

The format of the All-Star Game has changed once again, as it will be split between two Team USA and one Team World. The reason for this was to make the game more competitive, but ultimately it is the players who make it interesting, not the format. Nikola Jokic has been one of those players who has consistently been in the All-Star Game for the past few years, and there hasn’t been any change as far as how he plays.

During his media availability, he was asked if he would play anything differently this year because of the format, and as expected, he said nothing would change.

Jokic said, “I’m going to play the same way I play every year. I’m not sure it’s going to bring another fire out of me because I play the same way every game.”

“I’m going to play the same way I play every year. I’m not sure it’s going to bring another fire out of me because I play the same way every game. Not for me.”

Nikola Jokic shares his thoughts on the new All-Star format 🗣️pic.twitter.com/elrpATGq2S

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 14 February 2026

Other players have noted that the competition starts with the players. Kawhi Leonard believes the game should go back to the classic East vs. West format.

“It’s going to start with the starters, whoever gets there first,” Leonard said. “For me, personally, we need to get back to the way it was, and if guys are going to play hard, they’ll play hard. I think it will be competitive this year. I don’t know what the format is like. But hopefully, guys are competing. They usually do, but it’s also an All-Star Game.”

There hasn’t been much competition during the All-Star Game in years past, and the most energy was when they were scoring goals. For some reason, they discontinued that format and created several different teams, and it did nothing to improve it.

It will be interesting to see if this new format changes any players’ approach to the game, because if not, they may have to make more changes.

Denver Nuggets cornerstone and proud Serbian Nikola Jokic is passionate about horses and horse racing, but he’s not the most animated person when speaking in front of a camera. The contradiction between his private life and public life was on display during a media session at NBA All-Star Weekend.

When the (seemingly) young Texan was asked “what kind of horse” he should get, Jokic offered a simple but honest explanation.

According to the Oh No He Didn’t “But I don’t know which one is the best… maybe the most expensive, that would be the best (laughs).”

“I live in Texas, and I want to get a horse, which horse should I get?”

Nikola Jokic: “The best… the most expensive, maybe he will be the best.” 😅pic.twitter.com/OYx7ZoCKap

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 14 February 2026

Jokic is probably bombarded with questions about horses all year long, as it’s one of the only things people really know about the man beyond his supreme basketball talent, love for the music of his native country, and the fact that he was modeled on a Taco Bell commercial. The five-time All-NBA First-Team selection probably has a lot of knowledge about horses, but perhaps this wasn’t the right time or place for him to talk in detail about one of his most iconic breeds.

Still, this reaction would lend credence to the notion that Jokic is one of the most reckless superstars in recent memory. He’s certainly not the only standout player to display a reserved personality – San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan comes to mind – but there’s a growing perception that the 30-year-old center dislikes the attention. A column about his allegedly brief exchange with a Serbian folklore group after last Saturday’s win against the Chicago Bulls only added to fans’ curiosity.

No one knows what to expect from Nikola Jokic when he is in the public eye, because he is truly an enigma. However, there is no mystery as to what will happen on the court. The sensational big man is averaging a triple-double for the second consecutive season, leading the league with 12.3 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game and ranking in the top-10 with 28.7 points per contest. Had he not missed 16 games with a knee injury he would have certainly been an MVP favorite.

Jokic is a hoops expert and an avid horse owner. Those sides of him are different, but apparently they resonate with the public in the same way. He will start in his sixth consecutive NBA All-Star Game, then turn his attention to the second half of the 2025-26 campaign and then return to his favorite spot when his Nuggets close on business for the summer.