Nikola Jokic received an NBA title in 2023, however primarily based on his postgame celebration, successful an Olympic medal meant extra to him.
Serbia’s basketball staff took bronze after defeating Germany 93-83 on Saturday. The reigning NBA MVP led the way in which, producing the fifth triple-double in Olympic historical past. Jokic scored 19 factors, collected 12 rebounds and dished 11 assists as Serbia avenged their loss to Germany in final summer time’s FIBA World Cup.
However that squad didn’t have Jokic. With him alongside the Atlanta Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic, who had 16 factors, Serbia led by as many as 19 factors within the third quarter. Germany by no means bought nearer than eight factors the remainder of the way in which.
The staff was fired up on the courtroom and the bus after the nation received its first basketball medal since taking silver in Rio in 2016. That contrasts Jokic’s hilariously subdued reaction to his first NBA title when he stated, “The job is finished. We will go dwelling now.”
However that’s as a result of Jokic loves Serbia deeply. He didn’t initially need to keep for the Denver Nuggets’ championship parade as a result of it might have delayed his return dwelling.
Jokic completed the bronze medal sport because the Olympic chief in factors, rebounds, assists and steals. Whereas Serbia fell simply in need of upsetting Crew USA within the semifinals, they got here by way of Saturday.
