Nikola Jokic recently displayed intense emotion while celebrating his horse’s victory at a race in Serbia, revealing a passion that seems to surpass his famed success on the basketball court. This moment of genuine joy highlights Jokic’s strong connection to horse racing, an interest that coexists with his celebrated <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA career that includes three MVP awards and a 2023 championship.
Jokic’s Emotional Reaction to His Horse’s Victory in Serbia
Despite being a dominant figure in the NBA for the past five years, Nikola Jokic has consistently portrayed basketball as only one part of his life. Outside the court, he spends much of his offseason pursuing his love for horse racing. Recently, a video went viral showing Jokic overcome with tears as his horse clinched a win in Serbia. Watching his horse cross the finish line, Jokic was seen embracing both his horse and its trainer, Vladimir Pribic, before celebrating exuberantly by popping champagne and running around in a scene reminiscent of his NBA championship celebrations.
Many NBA fans noted that Jokic’s celebration after the horse’s win appeared even more heartfelt and joyous than when the Denver Nuggets secured the 2023 NBA title. This comparison sparked lively discussions on social media, where observers remarked on the distinct emotional intensity Jokic displayed during the race win.
Public Reactions to Jokic’s Passion for Horse Racing
Social media users expressed their surprise at Jokic’s genuine enthusiasm for horse racing, emphasizing how it seemingly eclipses his reactions to basketball achievements. One user stated,
“Nikola Jokic seems happier about his horse winning a race than when he won the NBA championship.”
Another commented,
“Basketball is really a side gig for him. He’s just elite at it. He’s using it to fund his real passion for horse racing.”
Fans also jokingly speculated about Jokic’s future, noting his evident desire to eventually step away from basketball:
“Dude can’t wait to retire from his side gig that pays the bills and focus on his true love, he’s gonna retire the second his prime is done,”
referring to a recent video where Jokic inadvertently discussed his retirement plans.
Additional remarks captured the sentiment further:
“He was not this emotional when he won the title!”
and
“Winning an NBA championship was just his job; horses are life.”
Another comment suggested the depth of Jokic’s passion:
“The best basketball player in the world would trade 4 NBA titles for a horse race win at some random goat track in Serbia.”
While Jokic’s championship celebrations involved the traditional exuberance of swimming pool jumps and champagne-soaked locker rooms, those moments did not seem to provide him with the same deeply personal fulfillment he displays in the context of horse racing victories.
Jokic’s Agent Seen Meeting with LeBron James and Rich Paul in France
Interestingly, just hours before Jokic’s emotional celebrations in Serbia, his agent, Misko Raznatovic, was photographed aboard a boat in Saint Tropez, France, with NBA superstar LeBron James and his agent, Rich Paul. Raznatovic’s caption accompanying the photo hinted at significant developments for the future, stating,
“The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026!”
This has fueled speculation about James’s potential career moves, as he will become an unrestricted free agent in the NBA next summer. The timing suggests a major decision may be made by fall 2026, possibly involving James joining the Denver Nuggets. Such a move would reunite him with Jokic, creating a high-profile duo in the league before James considers retirement.
The prospect of Jokic teaming up with LeBron James has already stirred discussion among fans, eager to see if this pairing could reshape the NBA landscape in the coming years.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Nikola Jokic’s nickname?
A. Nikola Jokić is known as “Joker” in the NBA, a nickname famous but with an unclear origin.