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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Entertainment
Patrick Andres

Nikola Jokić Was Not Happy to See the Large Number of Text Messages He Had After Winning NBA Finals

It’s a scenario relatable for everyone: you win your first NBA title and NBA Finals MVP award, averaging an astounding 30.2 points, 14 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game in the process, firmly entrenching your country on the basketball map.

Because of your success, your family and friends are inundating your phone with congratulatory texts. How will you react?

If you're Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, the answer lands somewhere between irritation and outright disgust.

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After Denver beat the Heat 94–89 to win its first championship Monday evening, Jokić was asked whether Serbian tennis icon and recently minted French Open champion Novak Djokovic had texted him.

"I'm gonna see if he texted me, no?" Jokić replied, pulling out his phone. After scrolling briefly, he swore and facepalmed.

"How many texts do you have?" a reporter asked.

"A lot," Jokić said. "I'm gonna turn off the phone."

Jokić earned every one of his messages in Game 5, shaking off a sluggish start to finish with 28 points and 16 rebounds as the Nuggets made history.

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