A distinguished performer with three NBA MVP awards, Nikola Jokić, renowned for his exceptional court vision and passing skills, demonstrated his scoring prowess on Saturday. The Denver Nuggets luminary played a pivotal role in Serbia’s 84-80 victory against Latvia during a EuroBasket 2025 match.
Jokić amassed an impressive 39 points, successfully converting 15 of 26 field goal attempts. Additionally, he contributed 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steals, surpassing his own previous record for the most points scored by a Serbian player in a EuroBasket game. This triumph elevated Serbia’s record to 3-0 in the current competition, securing their advancement to the elimination stage.
“Words fail me,” Serbian guard Aleksa Avramović conveyed to Basket News, regarding Jokić’s remarkable display.
Showcasing his masterful touch around the basket, Jokić executed a series of delicate shots in the paint, often over the defense of Latvian and Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porziņģis, a key player for Latvia. While Jokić concentrated his efforts near the rim, his most critical basket originated from beyond the three-point line.
With slightly over 90 seconds remaining and Serbia holding a narrow four-point advantage, Jokić established a screen for Avramović and strategically stepped back instead of moving towards the basket. Avramović located him unguarded at the top of the key, and Jokić promptly set himself and confidently sank the three-pointer, extending Serbia’s lead to seven.
“He embodies leadership for us. Witnessing him lead the charge and execute plays, even when faced with multiple defenders, inspires everyone to elevate their game,” remarked Serbian big man Filip Petrušev. “That’s why we achieved a significant team win tonight.”
Serbia, recognized as a strong contender for the tournament title, now boasts a 3-0 record and has secured a spot in the knockout phase, despite having two more group stage matches remaining. Serbia’s next game is scheduled for Monday against Czechia, followed by a match against Türkiye on Wednesday.
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Through the initial three contests, Jokić has recorded averages of 24.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, while maintaining a shooting accuracy of 65%. In the tournament standings, he is positioned fifth in scoring and third in rebounding, yet ranks only 19th in assists.
