Nikola Jokic finally got what he wanted all along — to go home.
The NBA champion and Finals MVP returned to Serbia and his hometown of Sombor in time to watch his horses race on Sunday.
But less than a week later, it already feels so long ago.
His homecoming follows an all-time week in the two-time NBA MVP’s life.
Jokic and the Denver Nuggets put away the Miami Heat at home in five games to capture the franchise’s first NBA championship this past Monday.
Jokic then needed clarity on when the championship parade will be — which was Thursday.
He didn’t seem happy at the time that it would delay his return home, but Jokic didn’t let it take away from the celebration.
Jokic’s wife, Natalija, was hit with a beer can at the Nuggets parade, and he also cursed in excitement at the podium during the parade, reacting to how much fun he was having.
The near 7-foot center, who was famously selected No. 41 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft during a Taco Bell commercial, averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game en route to winning Finals MVP honors.
He became the first player in league history to record the most points (600), rebounds (269) and assists (186) in one playoff run.
Jokic will have another decision to make as the FIBA World Cup looms beginning this August.
He has represented Serbia internationally throughout his career and was part of the silver-medal-winning Olympic team from the 2016 Games.
He also played in the 2019 World Cup on a team that defeated the United States to finish fifth.
