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.
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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 56 points along with 16 rebounds. Then, in March this year, Jokic added another 40 points with 13 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.
