Nikola Jokic Calls Out Nuggets Fans: 'They Are Not Welcome Anymore'
NBA champion Nikola Jokic expressed his disappointment with Denver Nuggets fans who booed the team during their first home game of the season.
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has publicly criticized some of the team's home supporters, stating that those who booed the Nuggets during their recent game "are not welcome anymore." The strong rebuke came after the Nuggets' first home game of the NBA season, where the team trailed significantly at halftime.
The Nuggets, who secured the NBA Championship in 2023 with Jokic at the helm, ultimately defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 141-135 in overtime on Saturday night. However, the team's slow start, falling behind by 17 points at the break, drew audible boos from the crowd at Ball Arena.
Despite playing a pivotal role in the comeback victory with a triple-double performance, Jokic did not hold back his criticism of the fans' reaction. "We get booed in the first home game," Jokic told reporters. "I think those fans who booed us, they don't need to come anymore."
He continued, "If you guys follow us, you know that we never quit. And we came back from much worse or similar situations. If they ask me, they are not welcome anymore."
The Nuggets' victory brought their record to 1-1 on the season, following an opening game loss. Head coach David Adelman acknowledged the team's poor first-half performance, calling it "dismal" and admitting he did not anticipate such a start. "It was a horrendous first half for us. But I liked the fight back," Adelman added.
Jokic finished the game with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, with eight of his points coming in the overtime period. This marked his 199th career regular-season triple-double, placing him second all-time behind Russell Westbrook's 209.
Jamal Murray contributed 42 points for Denver, while rookie Trevon Brazille scored seven of his 17 points in overtime, including a crucial corner three-pointer that extended the Nuggets' lead in the final minutes of the extra period.
Denver played without Cam Johnson (ankle) and Alpha Diallo (sprained wrist), and Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones remain sidelined.
For the Pelicans, Trey Murphy III led the scoring with 26 points, followed by Dejounte Murray with 22 points, and Derik Queen and Zion Williamson, who each added 17. The Pelicans have now lost their first three games under first-year coach Jamahl Mosley.
