Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokić or ‘The Joker’ is a Serbian professional basketball player who plays as a center for the Denver Nuggets. He is arguably the best center in the league at the moment and epitomizes the modern NBA center. His playmaking skills along with his versatile scoring have made him a monster on offense. Even if teams are to double-team him, his court vision allows him to make passes to the open man for an easy bucket. As of 2024, Jokic is a three-time NBA MVP.

Early Life

Jokić was born on February 19 1995 in Sombor, Serbia. He lived in a small apartment with his parents, grandmother, and two older brothers. His brothers introduced him to the game and he fell in love with it. Jokić played youth basketball for Vojvodina Srbijagas. He received interest from bigger clubs and during the summer of 2012, he signed for Mega Basket. He declared for the 2014 NBA Draft after playing two seasons and was selected 41st overall. He played the 2014-2015 season in Serbia and won the ABA League’s MVP.

NBA Journey

Even though Jokić was drafted in 2014, he only signed a deal with the Nuggets in 2015. He started off his career finely as he made the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished 3rd in the Rookie of the Year voting. His passing and playmaking at the center position made him an intriguing prospect. He developed his game further, finishing second in the 2017 Most Improved Player voting. In 2018, He nearly led the Nuggets to the playoffs for the first time since 2013 but narrowly lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Before the 2018-2019 NBA Season, Jokić signed a $148 million max extension. He repaid the team’s faith in him by earning his first NBA All-Star and All-NBA Team selections. During the 2019-2020 season, alongside Jamal Murray, he led the team to their first conference finals since Melo was on the team in 2009. Much was expected from Nikola and his team for the 2020-2021 season. He upped his production from a First Team All-NBA level to an MVP level. He would average 26-11-8 for the season and picked up the MVP over Steph Curry and Joel Embiid. Before the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets were dark horse contenders with Nikola Jokić having an MVP-calibre season, but their title aspirations were derailed when Joker's crucial Nuggets teammate Jamal Murray suffered a season-ending injury. The Nuggets were eliminated in the second round of the 2021 playoffs by the Phoenix Suns.

The 2021-22 season saw Jokić win his second consecutive MVP award, but the team faced similar challenges. Murray remained sidelined due to his severe injury from the prior season, and Michael Porter Jr. was ruled out before the 2022 playoffs due to an injury. With a depleted roster, the Nuggets fell 1-4 to the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors, in the first round.

In 2022-23, Nikola Jokić delivered a historic season as he averaged 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists. Although Jokic didn’t win MVP this season, everything aligned for the Nuggets during the 2023 playoffs as their roster finally stayed healthy. In the 2023 playoffs, Nikola Jokić led the Denver Nuggets to its first-ever NBA championship and also won the NBA Finals MVP. His 2023 playoff performance was historic, as he became the first player in NBA history to record 500+ points, 250+ rebounds, and 150+ assists in a single postseason and the first to lead all players in points, rebounds, and assists in a single postseason.

The 2023-24 season added to Nikola Jokić's legacy as he claimed his third MVP award. However, the Nuggets lost a grueling seven-game playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now, in the 2024-25 season, Jokić has started the season at an extraordinary level, averaging a triple-double through the first 10 games. With talks of a fourth MVP in five years already hot, Jokic is continuing to solidify his reputation as the greatest player of his era.

NBA Accolades

Nikola Jokic’s Records

Efficiency Records:

Highest single-season player efficiency rating: 32.85.

Highest single-season box plus-minus: 13.72.

Triple-Double Records:

Most regular-season and playoff triple-doubles by a center.

Fastest triple-double in NBA history: 14 minutes, 33 seconds.

Recorded a 15+ assist triple-double shooting 100% FG.

Multiple 35+ point triple-doubles with 90% FG.

Multiple 30+ point triple-doubles with no turnovers.

MVP Milestones:

Only second-round pick in the common draft era to win MVP.

Only player drafted outside the top 15 to win both Finals MVP and regular-season MVP.

Season Statistical Firsts:

First with 2,000+ points, 1,000+ rebounds, 500+ assists in one season.

Averaged 20+ PPG, 10+ RPG, 9+ APG with 60% FG.

Averaged 25+ PPG, 10+ RPG, 8+ APG with 52% FG.

Averaged 25+ PPG, 13+ RPG, 7+ APG in a season.

Playoff Dominance:

Led all players in points, rebounds, and assists in one postseason.

First player with 500+ points, 250+ rebounds, and 150+ assists in a postseason.

First with a 20-point triple-double in four consecutive playoff games.

Achieved multiple 30/20/10 playoff games and 35/20/10 games since the ABA-NBA merger.

First to average 25+ PPG, 10+ RPG, and 5+ APG in first 50 playoff games.

Record for assists in Finals debut (14); first to score 30/20/10 in Finals.

Unique Feats:

First with 10+ triple-doubles across 7 straight seasons.

Only player to lead a team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and FG% in a season.

First to achieve 55+ points, 35+ rebounds, and 20+ assists in a 2-game playoff span.

First to total 175+ points, 65+ rebounds, and 50+ assists over 5 playoff games.

Nikola Jokic’s Net Worth

The Joker has amassed a net worth of $80 million over his 10-year NBA career. He is currently on a 5-year, $276,122,630 contract with the Denver Nuggets and is earning a salary of $51,415,938 for the 2024-25 season. He has endorsement deals with Expedia Group, Western Union, 361 Degrees, and Panini. As per Forbes, Jokic earns $8 million from his endorsements.

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Nikola Jokic’s Family

Nikola Jokić was born in Sombor, Serbia. His father’s name is Branislav Jokić and his brother’s names are Nemanja and Strahinja. His mother’s identity is unknown. He married Natalija Mačešić on October 24, 2020, in his hometown of Sombor.

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Nikola Jokic’s Wife

Nikola Jokić married his longtime partner Natalija Mačešić. She studied psychology at Minnesota's Metropolitan State University and graduated from there. They both have been together since their childhood days in Serbia. Jokic Mačešić also loves to be in sports and she played volleyball at a junior college in Oklahoma. The couple started dating in 2013 and got married in 2020. Together the couple has one daughter Ognjena Jokic, and another son is expected in November 2011.

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Nikola Jokic’s Shoes

The Serbian centre for the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic wears his 361 Degrees 'Joker 1' shoes. Before, Jokic used to wear Nike shoes such as the Nike Air Zoom GT Jump, Zoom Rize, and several Hyperdunk designs. However, in December 2023, the Chinese sports apparel giant 361 Degrees announced that they had signed Nikola Jokic on a multi-year contract.