Watch: NBA fans throw 'MVP' chants at Nikola Jokic during Team USA vs Serbia exhibition game
Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic received MVP chants from fans in attendance at the Team USA-Serbia international friendly on Wednesday afternoon. With the 2024 Paris Olympics rapidly approaching, Team USA and Team Serbia participated in a friendly pre-Olympic warmup game in Abu Dhabi.
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic was showered with MVP chants by fans in attendance as he stepped up to the line to take free throws during the first half of the game.
Jokic's play will be a massive boost for Serbia as the team looks to bounce back from a second-place finish at the FIBA World Cup that saw them fall to Germany in the championship game.
At the time, Jokic had opted to skip the FIBA World Cup after he and the Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Championship. Because of their extended season, Jokic wound up speaking with Team Serbia coach Svetislav Pesic about the situation, revealing that he was both physically and mentally exhausted.
In an interview with Mozzart Sports, Pesic spoke about the situation, saying:
"With [Nikola] Jokic, we had several conversations, and I must say they were some of the best conversations I've had with players who couldn't make it to the roster. He’s physically and mentally exhausted, not feeling ready to take responsibility at the moment."
As a result, it was decided that he would skip on the 2023 FIBA World Cup, however, at the time, fans remained hopeful that Jokic would participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Then, in June, it was confirmed that Jokic would be a part of Serbia’s Olympic roster after a second-round exit from the NBA Playoffs.
Looking at Nikola Jokic and Team Serbia’s remaining International Friendly schedule as well as their 2024 Paris Olympic schedule
Leading up to the Paris Olympics, Serbia had three international friendly games scheduled to help the team prepare for this summer’s competition. The team first played against France on Jul. 12 against the frontcourt duo of Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert.
Serbia picked up a 79-67 win that saw Jokic finish the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the summer slate. Serbia then participated int heir second pre-Olympic International Friendly game against Australia at the USA Basketball Showcase in Abu Dhabi.
There, Jokic logged 14 points and 14 rebounds for his second-straight double-double on 60% from the field in 28 minutes of action. Despite his contribution, Serbia lost the game 73-84, falling to 1-1 in Olympic warmup games.
On Wednesday, Serbia participated in their third exhibition game in preparation for the Olympics against Team USA, who they will meet in the Group Phase of the Paris Olympics.
Olympic action is scheduled to begin on Jul. 27, with their first game taking place against Team USA on Jul. 28. The team will then be back in action on Jul. 31 when they play Puerto Rico, leading up to their final Group Phase game on August. 3, where they will play South Sudan.
While Puerto Rico impressed in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, it is currently USA and Serbia who are the favorites from Group C.