Nuggets' Nikola Jokic Will Not Play For Serbia In The Olympics

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has opted not to join his home country, Serbia, in their journey at the Olympics, according to The New York Times' Marc Stein. His decision is based on having "two grueling NBA seasons back-to-back with little break."

Jokic expounded upon his decision, explaining that his body requires an extended period of rest and recovery, as well as that this course was inevitable, per ESPN.

The simple condition of my body requires a longer absence from the field for recovery, Jokic wrote in a translated statement, adding that it was at the Nuggets' suggestion and an inevitability that I must accept.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic announced in his native Serbia today that he will not play for the national team in Olympic qualifying or if they earn a spot in Tokyo after two grueling NBA seasons back-to-back with little break.

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 16, 2021

The Joker is this season's MVP and recently earned First-Team All-NBA honors. He played in all 72 of the Nuggets' games and willed his team to a 13-7 record without Jamal Murray. Jokic's season came to an end in the Western Conference Semi-Finals, as the Nuggets were swept by the Suns.

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