Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic has had a heck of an offseason since the team was eliminated in the NBA playoffs. But he’s buckled down and is proudly representing his country, Serbia in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Serbian basketball team came into the Games as one of the favorites behind the United States, and that is almost entirely thanks to the brilliance of Jokic, the world’s best player. The Serbians were placed in Group C along with the USA, South Sudan, and Puerto Rico.
Each team plays the teams in their group with the top two advancing to the quarterfinals. There are also tiebreakers that allow a pair of third-place teams to advance from the group stage. Overall, 8 of the 12 teams will advance to the quarterfinals, which then becomes a single elimination knockout bracket.
Here are the game-by-game results of the Serbian big man and Denver Nuggets legend as he makes his way through the Olympic Games. The blog will be updated as Jokic and Serbia continue through the tournament.
GROUP PLAY
Game 1: USA 110 Serbia 84 FINAL
Jokic: 20 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast, 4 stl, 0 blk, 4 TO, +0, 8/15 FG, 1/6 3-PT, 3/4 FT
Jokic played a very solid all-around game, even dominating inside at times. He couldn’t get his three-point shot to fall, nor could his teammates, and the USA was able to run away with this one. Still, Jokic’s excellence was on full display and he easily got the best of one of his rivals, Joel Embiid. It’s remarkable that the teams were even during Jokic’s 30:45, but Serbia was outscored in the other 9 minutes and 45 seconds by 26 points.
Game 2: Serbia 107 Puerto Rico 66 FINAL
Jokic: 14 pts, 15 reb, 9 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk, 4 TO, +16, 5/7 FG, 0/0 3-PT, 4/5 FT
This was just a thorough demolition by the Serbians right from the jump. Jokic played barely half the game and sat the entire fourth quarter. Still, he was dominant inside on both ends and came just one assist shy of just the fourth triple-double in Olympics history.
Game 3: Serbia 96 South Sudan 85 FINAL
Jokic: 22 points, 13 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 0 blk, 2 TO, +10, 7/9 FG, 1/1 3-PT, 7-12 FT
This game was a battle, as evidenced by Jokic’s 12 free throw attempts and a ridiculous eight fouls drawn. The South Sudanese team was extremely aggressive and physical and made the Serbians earn this win. Jokic was up to the task and put forth another superb effort, ensuring Team Serbia a spot in the quarterfinals.
QUARTERFINALS
Serbia 95 Australia 90 FINAL/OT
Jokic: 21 pts, 14 reb, 9 ast, 4 stl, 2 blk, 3 TO, +17, 9/17 FG, 0/3 3-PT, 3/4 FT
This was another Jokic masterclass in an instant classic. Serbia overcame a massive deficit to move on to the semifinals and as always, Jokic played a massive part. The numbers truly don't do it justice; he made clutch play after clutch play on both ends of the court. Seemingly willing his team to victory, it was a truly incredible display by a basketball savant. Watching Jokic in this game was like watching a wizard and at this point it's hard to see how one can do anything but appreciate it and anticipate what's next.
SEMIFINALS
Serbia vs. United States, Thursday, August 8, 1 PM MDT