Nikola Jokic Gets Offseason Win in Different Sport on Sunday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 3:18 AM ET

The last couple of seasons haven't been very kind to Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets. After winning the NBA championship in 2023, they have lost in the second round of the playoffs in both of the last two seasons, and on both occasions, they fell in Game 7.

But there is now some tangible hope that they could reclaim basketball's grand prize again this coming season. They pulled off a massive trade recently for two-way forward Cam Johnson, and they agreed to acquire center Jonas Valanciunas, who is the backup 5 they have long sought.

In the meantime, Jokic seems to be enjoying himself as he engages in his favorite hobby: horse racing. In his native country Serbia, he was seen celebrating at a horse racing competition.

Nikola Jokić slavi pobedu u Srbobranu! pic.twitter.com/Y8zjUDi1In
— Arena Sport TV (@arenasport_tv) July 6, 2025

Jokic is an avid horse harness racer, and it is something he has enjoyed since he was a child in Serbia.

He had a sensational season with the Nuggets, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists a game while shooting 57.6% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range. He became just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season, joining Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and teammate Russell Westbrook.

Many feel Johnson will be an upgrade over Michael Porter Jr., the main piece sent out to the Brooklyn Nets in that big trade. Meanwhile, Valanciunas can allow the Nuggets to at least tread water while Jokic is resting.

During the second round of the 2025 playoffs versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, they routinely lost ground when Jokic wasn't on the floor.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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