John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Olympics: Team Serbia Star Reveals Nikola Jokic Got Bored Amid Fan Requests

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated Aug 1, 2024 10:35 AM ET

After losing to Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nikola Jokic and Serbia rebounded in a big way, as the European powerhouse crushed Jose Alvarado and Puerto Rico on Wednesday, 107-66.

Jokic had a spectacular performance against Puerto Rico, as he needed just 23 minutes to put together the incredible stat line of 14 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists while shooting 5/7 from the field.

Jokic could have gotten a triple-double if he played some more, as urged by fans watching the contest, but the Denver Nuggets star big man and three-time NBA Most Valuable Player had no interest in chasing stats, according to Serbia shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Via Aris Barkas of Eurohoops:

“We heard from some fan who was yelling ‘put Nikola back’ but I think he gets bored by hearing this from outside for stats,” Bogdanovic said. Jokic finished with 14 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists while not playing at all in the fourth period. “Because he is dominant and I can tell you he is not playing for stats.”

All that mattered for Jokic was the victory and some assurance that Serbia would still be in contention for a spot in the next phase of the tournament.

For what it’s worth, Jokic became the first player in Olympic history to have at least 10 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a game.

The 41-point blowout win by Serbia was their biggest in an Olympic game ever.

Serbia next face South Sudan on Sunday.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: