Courtside, Novak Djokovic gave his fellow countryman and NBA player Nikola Jokic an embrace following the Denver Nuggets’ victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, March 2.
The Denver Nuggets, the reigning NBA champions, defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 124-114 to increase their winning run to six games. Nikola Jokic put on a very strong effort, scoring 35 points to help the team win.
Basketball legend LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 points in a regular season during this game. In order to become the NBA’s all-time top scorer, James had to exceed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 38,387 points set decades earlier.
Attending the Nuggets vs. Lakers game at the Crypto.com Arena was Novak Djokovic, who is presently in California starting his campaign at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
When Nikola Jokic approached the World No. 1 after the match, he was observed doing an interview courtside. The interview was abruptly terminated in the middle by Novak Djokovic. The 36-year-old gave his countryman a hug and most likely congratulated him on his victory, showing how happy he was.
Mutual respect and admiration have always existed between Nikola Jokic and Novak Djokovic. The Serbian described Jokic as an amazing person at a press conference held last year, referring to him as the “best basketball player in the world” and saying that he is the “pride for Serbia.”
“I don’t believe anyone is currently capable of performing what he is doing. The world’s greatest basketball player, without a doubt. I’m quite happy for him. He’s an incredible man and Serbia’s pride,” he remarked.
In response, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic was praised by Nikola Jokic, who said that the player is a true “master of his craft” and that words cannot adequately describe him.
“It is beyond words to express. Nikola Jokic remarked, “He’s the master of his trade and most likely one of the best ever.” “He is the one who, on a much larger scale, represents Serbia.”
The 29-year-old emphasised that the 24-time Grand Slam winner is someone he looks up to and who inspires young Serbians. Jokic also acknowledged the World No. 1 for the important work his charity is doing for young Serbians. The basketball player also referred to Novak Djokovic as the Serbian “ambassador.”
He is an ambassador for Serbia. Beyond his accomplishments on the court, his foundation’s work has elevated him to the status of a true hero among Serbian youth. I aspire to be like him because he is a man you can look up to. He’s making a huge difference for Serbia, children, and the world at large. We are not comparable,” he continued.