Gru from ‘Despicable Me,’ Nikola Jokic. PHOTO: 

Even if Nikola Jokic only averaged 1.4 steals in the NBA regular season of 2023–24, at least he did not try to pilfer the moon!

On Saturday, April 20, the 29-year-old center for the Denver Nuggets made an appearance at his team’s playoff debut against the Los Angeles Lakers dressed as another large man: Gru from Despicable Me.

The current NBA champion grinned at photographers as he made his way through the Ball Arena tunnels in Denver. He was wearing a black zip-up jacket and a large scarf with gray and black stripes, which is a look that is recognizable as the grumpy but endearing main character from the Despicable Me movie series.

Nikola Jokic dresses up as Gru ahead of an April 20 game at Denver’s Ball Arena. 

Although Jokic refuted attempts to mimic Steve Carell’s Gru voice or do any Minions-related antics during the game (the Nuggets defeated the Lakers, 114–103), he did acknowledge that the Illumination stalwart served as inspiration for his appearance.

According to a video posted on X, he told reporters, “I love the guy and I love the cartoon.” “Why not enjoy yourself a little bit as well?”

Jokic even made an appearance in a commercial for the Despicable Me 4 movie, which releases on Friday, April 20. He said that the “beautiful suit” that he was wearing in the video led others to compare him to Gru as he sat down with a psychiatrist. Jokic said that it “doesn’t,” but that it carries some baggage, when the therapist questioned him about why the comparison bothered him.

In the video, he claimed, “They will not leave me alone,” and then he opened the blinds to see several Minions staring at him through a window and yelling, “Guys, I am not your boss!”

Nikola Jokic walks through Denver’s Ball Arena on April 20, 2024. 

In June of last year, the player became the MVP of the series after helping his side win its first-ever championship.

According to ESPN, Jokic recorded 32 points, seven assists, and twelve rebounds in the game on April 20 to contribute to the Nuggets’ most recent home victory. They will next play Los Angeles once again at Ball Arena on Monday, April 22.

“I think we know how to play together,” Jokic stated to reporters following the most recent game. It is not simply one player, in my opinion. Everyone seems to know their duty quite clearly, in my opinion. Each of us is trying our hardest to fulfill our jobs. I think that best sums up who we are.

Upon being asked what he anticipates from the Lakers going forward, Jokic acknowledged that his club is “desperate too.”

He declared, “We do not want to lose at home.” “I thought the game today was interesting. Both of us ran, and they ran. I think every game will be exciting, so maybe we can match their physicality and surpass them.”

On July 3, Despicable Me 4 opens in theaters.