Nuggets Star Nikola Jokic Previews Season Opener vs. Thunder

The NBA season is only three days in, and several teams have yet to play their first game. The Denver Nuggets are one of these teams, as their first tip-off isn’t set until later tonight. Despite a first-round defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves in April, they kept the roster mostly intact, and fans are eager to see how they will stack up to rising competition.

Interestingly, they face a significant challenge right out of the gate with a matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on opening night. Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, who recently spoke with the media, knows his team faces a serious challenge, but he’s approaching this game like any other.

“To be honest, I’m going to see my friend Nikola Topic in Oklahoma,” Jokic said.  So, we’re going to have dinner. We’re probably going to watch some games, have some fun. I’m not going to feel nervous. But I think I always feel nervous before the game. I think that’s normal. And it should be like that. I think that’s why I’m playing this sport because of that.”

Instead of worrying about how his team will start the season tonight, the only thing on Jokic’s mind is catching up with his friend and Serbian National Team teammate, Nikola Topic. They already have plans for a whole evening together, showing how comfortable Jokic is feeling right now. If nothing else, this first matchup will be a good litmus test for where the Nuggets are at right now.

“I think we are ready,” said Jokic. “We had a couple of games to prepare ourselves. It’s a tough opponent, but if you want to be the best, you need to play with the best and beat the best… It’s good to see where we’re at. We watched them yesterday. They’re a good team — they’re definitely a challenge for every team, so it’s good to see where we’re at.”

Of course, like many other players, Jokic still feels that rush of emotion before every game, and it’s apparently what keeps him coming back for more. Even at 31 years old, with a championship already in the books, the pre-game jitters have never fully gone away, but Jokic has never let them affect his game. In fact, you could argue that his competitive drive (albeit subtle) fueled his historic career as an NBA champion, three-time MVP, and eight-time All-Star.

Tonight, the Nuggets will need him at his best to secure the win. At 1-0, the Thunder are coming off an impressive win against the San Antonio Spurs. They looked to be at the top of their game, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played like an early MVP candidate, tallying 32 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and three blocks on 48.1% shooting from the field.

For the Nuggets to contain that team will require a cohesive, collaborative effort. Without Peyton Watson (who joined the Cavaliers this summer), they are seemingly more vulnerable on the wing, hurting their chances even further. In the end, however, the Nuggets will go as far as Jokic takes them, and he looks completely unfazed by the state of the competition.