Is Nikola Jokic playing tonight vs USA? Latest update on the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics silver medal winner
Nikola Jokic, a 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics silver medal winner, is questionable against Team USA on Wednesday. Coach Svetislav Pesic surprised fans less than 24 hours ago when he decided to rest Bogdan Bogdanovic versus Australia. On the second night of back-to-back exhibition games, Pesic could force his prized center to sit out.
If Pesic wants to take on the highly-touted Americans with everything the team has, Jokic has to play. If he decides to keep some trump cards for the Olympics, he could let the three-time NBA MVP play cheerleader. Basketball fans are hoping the Serbian coach fields the Denver Nuggets superstar even in limited minutes.
Nikola Jokic and Co. looked gassed in the fourth quarter against Australia. They were in France for the showdown against Victor Wembanyama’s team before flying to Abu Dhabi for matchups against the Boomers and Team USA. And since the Serbs' schedule leading to the showdown versus the Americans isn't ideal, Jokic might not see any action at all.
Nikola Jokic’s highly anticipated matchup against Joel Embiid might be put on hold
Basketball fans across the globe can’t wait for Nikola Jokic to face Joel Embiid on the international stage. The two have been competing in the NBA and have been rivals in four of the last five MVP races. Had Embiid not won the award last year, Jokic might be a four-time winner of the Michael Jordan Trophy.
The world might have to wait for two more weeks before the Jokic-Embiid showdown happens. “The Process” is ready to play, but the Serbs could hold out their cornerstone. If that happens, the group stage of the Olympics will be the first time the two titans will face off against each other in international competition.
Serbia will be unfazed against Team USA if Nikola Jokic is unavailable
Besides Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia will also parade Vasilije Micic, Aleksej Pokusevski and Nikola Jovic. More than the NBA talents on the roster, Svetislav Pesic can count on his team’s familiarity and cohesiveness to try and pull an upset against the vaunted Americans.
Even if it’s a no-bearing game, the pressure will be on Team USA to win it. Basketball fans will also be watching how they bounce back after a poor showing versus Australia, particularly in the second half.
The Serbians are the underdogs, but they will be unfazed if Jokic is in street clothes on Wednesday.