Nikola Jokic declared war on his own fanbase, declaring some Denver Nuggets fans ‘are not welcome anymore’ after their first home game of the season.
The Nuggets, who won the NBA Championship with Jokic in 2023, came from behind to beat the winless New Orleans Pelicans 141-135 in overtime on Saturday night.
But they got off to an awful start, trailing by 17 points at halftime, and the home fans at Ball Arena let them know how they felt about it.
Despite coming back to win the game and leading their comeback effort with 35 points in a triple-double, Jokic hit out at those who booed and jeered the team suggesting he does not want them to come back.
‘We get booed in the first home game,’ Jokić told reporters. ‘I think those fans who booed us, they don’t need to come anymore.
‘Because if you guys follow us, you know that we never quit. And we came back from much worse or similar situations.
Nikola Jokic hit out at Denver Nuggets fans who booed the team in their first home game
Jokic led the Nuggets comeback against the winless New Orleans Pelicans in overtime
‘If they ask me, they are not welcome anymore.’
The Nuggets lost their first game of the season in Oklahoma City but are now 1-1 after their comeback win.
Nuggets head coach David Adelman admitted their first-half effort was ‘dismal’ and added: ‘I didn’t expect our team to come out the way they did.
‘It was a horrendous first half for us. But I liked the fight back.’
Jokic scored eight of his 35 points in overtime and finished with 15 rebounds and 10 assists.
Jokic had his 199th career triple-double in the regular season, second to Russell Westbrook, who retired with 209.
Jamal Murray scored 42 points and rookie Trevon Brazille had seven of his 17 points in overtime in his home debut for Denver, which took an early lead in overtime. His corner 3-pointer with 1:25 left in overtime gave the Nuggets a 133-129 lead.
Denver played without Cam Johnson (ankle) and Alpha Diallo (sprained wrist) and continued to be without Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones.
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 26 points, Dejounte Murray had 22 points and Derik Queen and Zion Williamson scored 17 each. The Pelicans have dropped their first three games under first-year coach Jamahl Mosley.
