Nikola Jokic’s summer time distress continued after his early elimination from the Eurobasket in 2025.
Following a 4-3 loss to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder within the NBA playoffs, Nikola Djokic had the chance to redeem within the 2025 Eurobasket.
In any case, Serbia was thought of considered one of its favorites to win gold within the competitors. Nevertheless, the Serbian marketing campaign was lower brief by Finland through the 16 matches.
Finland soared into the quarterfinals of the competitors, followers had been shocked on the elimination of Jokic. However what was the true cause behind the defeat? ESPN’s Tim Regler seems to have an concept.
In the course of the 2024-25 NBA season, Jokic carried the Denver Nuggets to his again for a lot of the season.
The Nuggets confronted the craze of Jokic’s heavy workload. This was the important thing cause behind Serbia’s 92-86 upset defeat by the hands of the Finnish basketball workforce, in response to Legler.
“I assumed he actually appeared like he’d been within the gasoline, and for them, it is summer time. Basically, they’re able to camp right here immediately.
“They’re popping out of the summer time and popping out of the longest break, however I am positive they’re coaching collectively and he performs loads of video games,” Legler stated on all NBA podcasts.
That is not all. Legoler feels that the “feelings” that characterize his nationwide workforce additionally performed a job within the lack of upset.
“So he is most likely in a greater form than there are lots of people round this time of the yr, however he appeared actually drained.
“It drains your adrenaline. It is actually true. Your lungs begin to burn. You are arduous to breathe as a result of it’s extremely bodily and it makes loads of sense.
Even with fatigue settling, Jokic was his common self, at the very least by way of numbers. In any case, the Joker completed the sport with 33 factors, eight rebounds and three assists.
He was additionally very environment friendly from the ground and shot nine-thirds from the sphere. So, what went flawed with Jokic? Legler defined subsequent.
“And amongst a few of these possessions he didn’t contact on it, I don’t know if he appeared like he was able to run down there, submit and do something.
“He was respiration a little bit of air and working up and down the ground, so stronger than anybody else, I assumed Finland had used it,” concluded Legler.
Both manner, Jokic’s journey at Eurobasket is over because the 3x NBA MVP prepares for the 2025-26 season with the Nuggets.
