The Denver Nuggets may be in the offseason, but that doesn't mean Nikola Jokic is taking his time off lightly. It may have just been an international friendly for Serbia, but Jokic took on Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert of France in the tune-up for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, and he already looked like he was in midseason MVP form. It was just another reminder that Jokic is still the best basketball player in the world. But what about his wrist and three-point shot?
Jokic nearly had a triple-double in Serbia's 90-87 win in just 29 minutes played, finishing with a 20-point, 9-rebound, and 8-assist night. Against the two best defensive centers in the world. But what was really nice to see was Jokic's three over the outstretched arms of Wembanyama.
Were you expecting anything else? 🤷
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 20, 2026
Joker delivers with 20 PTS, 9 REB and 8 AST, as Serbia 🇷🇸 pick up the W in the first of their two matchups against Wemby and France 🇫🇷
📺 Watch LIVE as two teams match up again on August 23, Sunday: https://t.co/Hbj80LKqoi#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/QmUYg337IM
Jokic's three-point form needs to return
Last year, Jokic's three-point shot got progressively worse, and questions about what was going on with his wrist were mounting. These summer FIBA tune-ups should be giving fans a glimpse into whether or not his wrist looks recovered, and so far, so good. Sure, he was just 1-3 from deep in this game, but that one looked great.
Jokic's three-point shot is one of the things that makes him and the Nuggets' offense so special. And when it's gone, we saw the result of what can happen. The Minnesota Timberwolves let Jokic shoot in the first-round playoffs last year, letting him test that shot. And when it didn't fall, the Wolves' defense was able to drop off Jokic and take away the open shots for everyone else because they no longer had to worry about Jokic.
Jokic was just 7-for-36 in the series for 19.4%, the worst mark on the Nuggets. Prior to the All-Star break, Jokic was hitting 42.0% of his threes. After the break, it was only 31.6%. Something obviously happened. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch spotted it, deployed his strategy against Jokic, and it paid off handsomely for the Timberwolves.
The Nuggets could be cooked without Jokic's three-point shot
Given how poorly the Nuggets' offseason rebuild around the fringes has been, if Jokic's three-point shot doesn't return, the Nuggets could be cooked again in the playoffs. We know the Nuggets can still approach 50-wins in the regular season, but that all changes in the playoffs. It's going to be vital for Jokic to get his threes to fall, and hopefully his wrist is healed.
These FIBA World Cup qualifiers are the perfect chance to get an early preview of what to expect from Jokic's wrist, and so far, after one game, it looks pretty good again.
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