While most of the NBA world is talking turkey and touchdowns, Nikola Jokic has a very different perspective on Thanksgiving. Usually, it’s the time to have a nice turkey, mashed potatoes, and look back at some of the fruitful memories of the year. But that’s for people who diligently celebrate the holiday. For Nikola Jokic, however, a question about the holiday prompted a much more serious response.

After securing a win against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Joker was asked about some of the things he is thankful for with the holiday around the corner. Jokic isn’t startled by most high-pressure moments. Somehow, this question brought more emotion out of the Serbian center than after he had won a championship in 2023.

In the video put out by Bleacher Report, Jokic responds to the question, saying, “What am I thankful for?” After a brief pause, he said, “Oh my god,” almost stressed from the question. But why? The answer is simple. In Serbia, Thanksgiving isn’t a celebrated holiday like it is in the USA. It’s not a part of the tradition, hence, it’s never really a frequent thought for Nikola Jokic.

But of course, there’s a lot for the Joker to appreciate in life. He loves his family and always goes back to Serbia in the offseason. Jokic and his wife, Nataljia Jokic, are raising a great family with two children. So while Jokic might not be focused on Thanksgiving, his recent performance on the court is giving the entire city of Denver plenty to be thankful for.

Nikola Jokic has lit up Thanksgiving for the Denver Nuggets

For the first five games of the season, Nikola Jokic was playing like he regularly does. When the game called for it, he looked aggressive. His first thought was always to feed his teammates. But the Nuggets got off to a sluggish 3-2 start. Since then, Nikola Jokic has been nuclear. This season, he is averaging a triple-double while scoring a career-high 29.6 points.

The Nuggets have only lost two in 12 games since then. In that span, the three-time MVP is averaging 33.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game. His Nuggets average the most points per game in the league, Jokic’s scoring surge being the primary catalyst for it. With the Joker leading the best offense in the league, the Nuggets have had the time to prioritize defensive growth.

Their offseason acquisitions, like Bruce Brown and Cameron Johnson, have contributed to their improvement as a defense. Their addition alongside solid defenders like Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun has seen the Nuggets record a defensive rating of 112.5. No other teams aside from the Rockets and the Thunder record a greater net differential.

Most of the team is playing basketball at an elite level. But Nikola Jokic makes a lot of that possible. The Nuggets’ next two leading scorers, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, have been assisted the most by the Joker. He’s the ultimate trump card in the league right now. Jokic has made sure the Nuggets and their fans are in high spirits going into the holidays.