Nov 12, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) in the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Alperen Sengun Shares Strong Nikola Jokic Statement After Epic Duel

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 11:53 PM ET

American NBA stars have been able to take in this 2025 NBA offseason, whether that's been just putting work in the gym or making trips overseas to Asia. However, for the European stars of the NBA, they've been spending a chunk of their offseason preparing and now playing in the 2025 EuroBasket tournament.

From NBA role players to stars like Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and more, there's still high-level basketball going on despite the offseason going on. In the final game of group stage play for EuroBasket though, two star NBA centers in Denver's Nikola Jokic and Houston's Alperen Sengun went head-to-head before the elimination round.

Alperen Sengun: 28 PTS 13 REB 8 AST
Nikola Jokic: 22 PTS 9 REB 4 AST 3 STL

A duel for the ages in one of the best #EuroBasket games of all-time! pic.twitter.com/reO1uqA6dy
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 3, 2025

Sengun and Turkey were able to get the win, defeating Jokic and Serbia by a final score of 95-90. While Jokic might take the crown in the NBA with three MVPs and an NBA title, Sengun got the best of him individually, posting 28 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists in the win.

However, he did make sure to take time and give some praise to Jokic, especially since he's been compared to the three-time MVP since entering the league.

TOP 10 #EuroBasket 2025 players according to ESPN

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
3. Luka Doncic
4. Franz Wagner
5. Alperen Sengun
6. Kristaps Porzingis
7. Lauri Markkanen
8. Deni Avdija
9. Santi Aldama
10. Neemias Queta pic.twitter.com/gzeO7lfCGu
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) August 21, 2025

"Jokic is one of the best players in the world. Rather, he’s the best, as of recently. To play and get this win against him was really important for us. As for me, I also had the extra motivation for this game. So we’re happy. And I’m happy I’ve played well and we won," Sengun said.

Jokic vs Sengun In The NBA

While Sengun is a rising star in the NBA, he's got a long way to go before he stacks up to the caliber of talent Jokic has become. In the 10 career games that Jokic has faced the Rockets star, he's posted averages of 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 8.2 assists with a 6-4 career record, according to StatMuse.

The two stars have yet to face each other in the postseason, but with the Nuggets and the Rockets drastically improving this offseason, they could be seeing each other in a high-stakes playoff series as soon as next season. Sengun won't be asked to be the offensive engine Jokic is, especially with the recent addition of NBA legend Kevin Durant.

Turkiye center Sertac Sanli believes that his teammate Alperen Sengun can reach or even surpass Nikola Jokic.

Read more https://t.co/4QNz8LRhmw pic.twitter.com/W4xb9DMn3g
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) September 3, 2025

As for the EuroBasket tournament, the only way these two stars see each other again will be if they advance to the EuroBasket Finals or face off in the third-place game.