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“Every Time We Go There He Has 50”: How Nikola Jokic Turned Washington Into His Home Away From Denver

Somin Bhattacharjee
Published

Mar 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts from the bench in the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Ball Arena

Nikola Jokic has dominated the NBA for years, but there’s one particular destination in the States that the three-time MVP seems to love more than others. Perhaps it has not been that evident since Jokic is effortlessly wonderful against all opposition. But Peyton Watson has noted the Serb’s pattern.

On The Young Man and The Three podcast, Watson spoke about how Washington has a huge Serbian population, which seemingly motivates Jokic. That’s why, when he visits the Capital One Arena, he balls out. There are stats to prove it as well.

Expectedly, the spectators turn up for the party, too. Their national hero visits them with the Nuggets, and they root for Denver, an away team instead of the Washington Wizards. Jokic, who prefers going to Serbia whenever he gets free time, gets a piece of just that in the capital city of the U.S.A.

“As soon as you’re walking in with Joker, they go crazy,” Watson said. “As if we’re the home team. Every single time, no matter who’s on the other side… Every time we go there, he has 50 [points] and 20 rebounds or something.” 

This is not to say that Jokic slacks off when there aren’t Serbs watching him play. He feeds off the energy from the fans in the Mile High City as well, but there’s a different beast when it comes to Washington. Let’s take a look at his last few away performances against the Wizards.

In February 2024, he put up 21 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and dished out 15 assists. On his very next visit that December, he scored a career-high 57 points along with 16 rebounds. Then, in March this year, Jokic added another 40 points with 10 boards.

That’s more than enough to prove that Watson had a point. “It’s always crazy to me that Jokic can just flip it on and decide like I’m gonna get 50,” he said.

Thankfully for Washington’s players and their fan base, Jokic visits them just once a season, since the teams belong to different conferences. For Jokic fans and the Serbs in D.C., however, it’s a disappointment.

If they were ever to meet in the NBA Finals, which would be one of the least expected matchups, at least in the near future, it would be an opportunity the big fella would relish.

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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