Discover the career path of Nikola Jokić, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Nikola Jokić, a Serbian professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets, is considered one of the greatest NBA players and centers of all time. Known as "the Joker," he's a seven-time NBA All-Star and has been named to the All-NBA Team six times. Jokić won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2020–21, 2021–22, and 2023-24 seasons. He also represents the Serbian national team, winning a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
1967: Baylor's achievement
On December 4, Jokić was named Western Conference Player of the Month. He became the first player since Elgin Baylor in 1967 to start a season with 12 straight games of 20+ points and 10+ rebounds.
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December 2012: Signed with Mega Vizura
In December 2012, Jokić signed a contract with Mega Vizura.
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February 2013: Signed Four-Year Contract
In February 2013, Jokić officially signed a four-year contract with Mega Vizura.
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2013: Played More Minutes for Mega Vizura
During the 2013–14 season, Jokić saw more minutes on the court for the Mega Vizura senior team, averaging 11.4 points in the Adriatic League.
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2013: FIBA Under-19 World Championship
In 2013, Jokić, as a member of the Serbian U-19 national basketball team, won the silver medal at the FIBA Under-19 World Championship, averaging 7.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
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June 26, 2014: Selected in the NBA Draft
On June 26, 2014, Jokić was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.
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2014: Selected by the Nuggets in the 2014 NBA draft
In 2014, Jokić was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the NBA draft.
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2014: Averaged 15.4 Points in the 2014-15 ABA League
In the 2014-15 ABA League, Jokić averaged 15.4 points, league-leading 9.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
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February 7, 2015: Scored 27 Points Against Szolnoki Olaj
On February 7, 2015, Nikola Jokić scored 27 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in an 88–77 loss to Szolnoki Olaj.
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March 26, 2015: Named Adriatic League MVP
On March 26, 2015, Jokić was officially named the Adriatic League regular season MVP.
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June 8, 2015: Scored 23 Points in Playoff Semifinals
On June 8, 2015, Jokić scored 23 points in a loss to Crvena Zvezda in the playoff semifinals of the Serbian League.
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July 28, 2015: Signed Contract with the Nuggets
On July 28, 2015, Jokić signed a contract with the Denver Nuggets.
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January 10, 2016: Recorded Career-High Nine Assists
On January 10, 2016, Jokić recorded a then career-high nine assists in a 95–92 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
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October 29, 2016: Career-High 17 Rebounds
On October 29, 2016, Jokić recorded 23 points and a career-high 17 rebounds in a 115–113 overtime loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
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2016: 2016 Summer Olympics
At the 2016 Summer Olympics, Jokić and Serbia won the silver medal, after losing to the United States in the final game 96–66.
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2016: 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament
In 2016, Jokić represented Serbia at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, earning tournament MVP honors.
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2016: NBA All-Rookie First Team
In 2016, Jokić was voted to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
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January 16, 2017: Scored Career-High 30 Points
On January 16, 2017, Jokić scored a career-high 30 points in a 125–112 victory over the Orlando Magic.
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February 28, 2017: Recorded Third Career Triple-Double
On February 28, 2017, Jokić recorded his third career triple-double with 19 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in a 125–107 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
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November 7, 2017: Scored Career-High 41 Points
On November 7, 2017, Jokić scored a career-high 41 points in a 112–104 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
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2017: The "Sombor Shuffle"
During his recovery from an ankle injury in 2017, Jokić developed the "Sombor Shuffle", a signature move involving jumping off his right foot before launching a high-arching fadeaway.
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January 8, 2018: First Triple-Double of the Season
On January 8, 2018, Jokić had his first triple-double of the season with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 124–114 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
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July 9, 2018: Signed a $148 Million Contract Extension
On July 9, 2018, Jokić signed a five-year, $148 million maximum contract extension with the Nuggets.
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2018: First All-Star and All-NBA First Team Selections
During the 2018–19 NBA season, Jokić received his first All-Star and All-NBA First Team selections.
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January 5, 2019: Season-High Performance Against the Hornets
On January 5, 2019, Nikola Jokić achieved a season-high with 39 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and three steals, contributing to a 123–110 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
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May 24, 2019: 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup
On May 24, 2019, Jokić announced he would play for Serbia at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
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November 8, 2019: Game-Winning Jumper Against the 76ers
On November 8, 2019, Jokić made a game-winning jumper with 1.2 seconds left against the Philadelphia 76ers, securing a 98–97 victory for the Nuggets after they rallied from a 21-point deficit.
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January 6, 2020: Career-High 47 Points Against the Hawks
On January 6, 2020, Jokić scored a career-high 47 points against the Atlanta Hawks, leading the Nuggets to a 123–115 road victory.
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December 29, 2020: Career-High 18 Assists
On December 29, 2020, Jokić recorded a career-high 18 assists in a 124–111 victory against the Houston Rockets, becoming the first center to record at least 18 assists in a game since Chamberlain in 1968.
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2020: NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2020 season
Nikola Jokić won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2020–21 season.
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February 6, 2021: Career-High 50 Points Against the Kings
On February 6, 2021, Jokić scored a career-high 50 points, with eight rebounds, 12 assists, and three blocks in a 119–114 loss to the Sacramento Kings, setting a franchise record and becoming the first center since Abdul-Jabbar in 1975 to reach that mark.
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2021: NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2021 season
Nikola Jokić won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2021–22 season.
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January 25, 2022: Milestone Game Against the Pistons
On January 25, 2022, Jokić recorded 28 points, 21 rebounds, and nine assists in a 110–105 victory over the Detroit Pistons, becoming the only player in NBA history to record 5,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists within his first 500 career games.
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June 15, 2022: Return to National Team
On June 15, 2022, Jokić announced that he would return to the national team after three years for the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers and the EuroBasket 2022.
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July 1, 2022: Supermax Contract Extension
On July 1, 2022, Jokić agreed to a five-year $264 million supermax contract extension with the Nuggets, marking the richest deal in NBA history at the time.
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2022: NBA Finals MVP
In the 2022–23 NBA season, Jokić was awarded NBA Finals MVP after leading the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA championship.
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January 1, 2023: Triple-Double Against the Celtics
On January 1, 2023, Jokić recorded his 85th career triple-double with 30 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, and no turnovers in a 123–111 victory over the Boston Celtics, becoming the first player in NBA history to have multiple games of at least 30 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds without a turnover.
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July 2023: Opted out of the 2023 FIBA World Cup
In July 2023, Jokić opted not to be selected for the 2023 FIBA World Cup due to physical and mental fatigue following his victorious season at Denver Nuggets.
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October 24, 2023: Triple-Double in Season Opener
On October 24, 2023, Nikola Jokić recorded a triple-double with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in a season-opening victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.
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2023: NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2023 season
Nikola Jokić won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2023–24 season.
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January 4, 2024: Game-Winning Shot Against Warriors
On January 4, 2024, Nikola Jokić scored 34 points, including a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer in a 130–127 victory over the Warriors.
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June 10, 2024: Included on Serbia's Preliminary Roster
On June 10, 2024, Jokić was included on Serbia's preliminary roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
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October 26, 2024: Career-High 3-Pointers
On October 26, 2024, Jokić scored 41 points and made a career-high seven 3-pointers in a 109–103 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
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