Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic is forging a strong friendship with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, both hailing from Serbia. Their bond has blossomed over the past two years, particularly through their participation in the Serbian national team during the 2024 Paris Olympics and the EuroBasket tournament.
Friendship Development
After being drafted by the Heat in 2022, Jovic had not met Jokic prior to their collaboration on the national team. Recently, Jovic expressed his appreciation for their friendship, stating, “I can say he’s my pretty good friend.” This camaraderie grew as they worked together and competed for Serbia on the international stage.
International Collaboration
- Bronze Medal: Jovic and Jokic won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
- The duo faced challenges at EuroBasket, where they were eliminated in the Round of 16.
This experience allowed Jovic to learn from Jokic, who is a three-time NBA MVP. Jovic noted the intensity and dedication Jokic brings to the game. He emphasizes that understanding basketball as a job can elevate performance. Jovic stated, “You got to do stuff that you have to do to perform at a high level.”
Nikola Jovic’s Journey in the NBA
As Jovic approaches his fourth NBA season, he seeks to solidify his role on the team. After signing a four-year, $62.4 million rookie-scale extension with the Heat in October 2025, his performance has seen ups and downs. As of Wednesday’s matchup against the Nuggets, Jovic averaged 8.7 points, four rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, with shooting percentages at 40.4% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc.
Relationship Dynamics
Maintaining their friendship throughout the season, Jovic shared light-hearted moments with Jokic. “He was mad because I signed the extension. He wanted me in Denver,” Jovic laughed. They often connect, discussing various topics and supporting each other in the league.
Connecting Through their Heritage
Both players share a common background; they are from Serbia and played for Mega Basket before entering the NBA. The similarity in their names has led to jokes over the years. However, Jovic remarked that the frequency of such jokes has diminished significantly.
Looking Ahead
This friendship is more than personal; it influences Jovic’s growth as a player. He expressed motivation to help the Heat overcome their recent struggles against Jokic’s Nuggets. Up to this point, Jokic holds an impressive record of 19 wins and 6 losses against the Heat. Their last regular-season win against Denver came in November 2016.
- Jokic vs. Heat: Jokic has won 19 out of 25 games against the Heat throughout his career.
- Recent Losses: The Heat have lost eight consecutive regular-season games against the Nuggets in Denver.
Jovic is determined to change this trend and hopes that their friendship will drive him towards improving the team’s performance in upcoming games.
