Business as usual for Nikola Jokic in first action since Game 7 loss to Thunder

For the first time since the Nuggets were eliminated from the playoffs by the Thunder in May, Nikola Jokic was back on the court on Tuesday, leading Team Serbia to a massive victory in the team’s EuroBasket tune-up. Jokic was the best player on the floor, as is almost always the case, putting up 20 points, 19 rebounds, and 9 assists during the 126-89 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Joker looks like he hasn’t skipped a beat after spending the last couple of months living it up in Serbia, enjoying family, his horses, and partying. If his return to basketball was any indication, he’s well-rested and ready to get back to dominating the basketball world.

Bosnia shouldn’t be a massive hurdle to clear or a true test for the Serbian squad, but they do boast some real NBA talent in big man and former Nugget Jusuf Nurkic, who was recently traded to the Utah Jazz.

But the Serbian squad has much loftier goals, entering the tournament as heavy favorites. Along with Jokic, they have current NBA players in Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nikola Jovic, plus a handful of EuroLeague talent.

Gold for Serbia would be incredible start to season for Jokic

Of course, we just watched another major international tournament last summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Jokic was incredible and led the Serbians to within a few minutes of pulling off an upset for the ages, but Steph Curry and Team USA had other ideas.

That Serbian team was able to come home with a Bronze Medal, which is an incredible achievement, but they’ve got their sights set on gold this summer in Latvia. It’s exciting that Jokic will be playing competitive, do-or-die basketball in late summer and early fall and should have him coming into training camp ready to go.

Winning gold would be an amazing accomplishment for Jokic and his countrymen and would set the table for a massive NBA season with the Nuggets. Hopefully, Joker will be revitalized after the European tournament, being able to come back to Denver with a motivated group around him, filled with old and new faces.

Everyone should be chomping at the bit, competition for minutes should be intense, and the goal should be exactly the same for Denver as it is for Team Serbia: win at all costs.