Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic took center stage off the court during NBA All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, poking fun at fellow international star Luka Doncic while recovering from a knee injury that limited his minutes for Team World.
Jokic, known for his friendship with Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic, made a playful jab at the Slovenian point guard during the weekend’s events.
“You know why Luka [Doncic] follows everything? Because he bets on everything. Gamble, gamble,” Jokic said. Doncic was seen simply shaking his head at the wild remark.
The comment comes amid heightened sensitivity around gambling in the NBA, following recent arrests involving Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Meanwhile, Jokic and the Nuggets are aiming to build momentum for the remainder of the regular season after a rough patch leading up to the All-Star break. Denver has battled injuries to key players, including Peyton Watson, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, Jokic himself, and Cameron Johnson, who have all missed time at various points this season.
The Nuggets resume regular-season play on Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers on the road.
Kevin Durant calls out European stars’ All-Star effort
Even as Jokic and Doncic were sharing laughs, Kevin Durant took aim at the perceived lack of competitiveness among international players during the All-Star Game.
“I mean, if you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic, let’s go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game,” Durant said. “Is that competition? These dudes don’t care about the game at all. They be laying on the floor, shooting from halfcourt… but we’re going to question the old heads and the Americans?”
Durant’s remarks reignited long-standing debates about the All-Star Game, which has often been criticized for prioritizing flashy plays over intensity, despite featuring the league’s top talent.
Read the full article here
