Jokic Celebrates 30th Birthday with Record-Breaking NBA Season

DENVER, Colo. — The Denver Nuggets celebrated their star player Nikola Jokic’s 30th birthday on Wednesday with an off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday” near the 3-point line. The three-time NBA MVP appeared bashful amidst the cheers from his teammates.

“I don’t like my birthday,” Jokic said. “Getting older.” Yet, he humorously added, “Like wine,” implying that while he may dislike aging, he believes he’s getting better with time.

Jokic’s game has matured significantly since he joined the Nuggets as a 20-year-old. Presently, he is averaging 29.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, showcasing his remarkable skills. He leads the league with 25 triple-doubles this season, just four short of matching his franchise record set last year.

His coach, Michael Malone, expressed awe at Jokic’s talents, stating, “Geez, I don’t know. He keeps on pushing the envelope. When you’re dealing with greatness, you never want to put a ceiling on that.” Malone added, “We want to give him room to grow and watch that, because it’s really fun to be a part of that process.”

Jokic not only excelled individually over the years but also guided the Nuggets to their first NBA championship title in 2023. Now married with two children, he also earned a bronze medal with Serbia at the Paris Olympics last summer.

In a unique twist, Jokic’s new sneakers are inspired by the children’s character Peppa Pig. “They made it. I like it. They’re going to be cool,” he said of the upcoming launch of his signature shoe by his sponsor, 361 Degrees.

This season, Jokic is also showcasing his improved long-range shooting, hitting a career-best 45% from beyond the arc. “He is playing the best basketball of his life,” Malone praised. “At his heart, he’s still the same person. He’s never forgotten where he’s come from or who’s helped him get here.”

Malone believes that Jokic’s style of play favors longevity in the NBA, emphasizing that he dominates games through intelligence and skill rather than pure athleticism. “He’s not driving down the lane and dunking on people every night. So I think that bodes well for his longevity,” Malone noted.

Despite the joys of fatherhood, Jokic stated that his children’s presence would not influence his career decisions. “It’s not going to be a factor for me,” he declared.

Recently, Jokic participated in the All-Star Game but expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, scoring only two points in ten minutes. Looking back, he described the experience as “part of the business, part of the job,” admitting, “I would rather be somewhere else … it’s a blessing and a curse.”

In a parallel story, Milwaukee Bucks‘ two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to practice this week after missing six games due to a strained left calf injury. He practiced on Wednesday, but his availability for Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers remains uncertain. Antetokounmpo noted, “I’m OK. Am I 100%? I don’t know. We’ll see.”

The Bucks, who are cautious following previous injuries, will decide on the player’s game participation closer to the match. Antetokounmpo is eager to play alongside new teammates acquired before the trade deadline, which includes Kyle Kuzma and Kevin Porter Jr.