The basketball world was eagerly awaiting a highly anticipated Nikola Jokic NBA MVP matchup as Serbia prepared to face Greece in an exhibition game on Saturday. This game, set in Cyprus as part of the lead-up to the 2025 EuroBasket tournament, promised a rare NBA MVP head-to-head with Jokic representing Serbia and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading Greece. However, Antetokounmpo will not participate, delaying the anticipated showdown between these two dominant players.

NBA Stars Shine in Upcoming EuroBasket Tournament

The 2025 EuroBasket tournament is shaping up to be a showcase of basketball talent, featuring several recent NBA MVP winners, all non-American players. Nikola Jokic, a three-time MVP with the Denver Nuggets, is widely regarded as the world’s top player and will play for Serbia. Fellow NBA stars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks and Luka Doncic from the Los Angeles Lakers, are also slated to represent their countries during the competition. Additional All-Stars such as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner, Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, and Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic will be competing as well.

Lineups Highlight a Wealth of NBA Talent

The upcoming Serbia vs Greece game was expected to feature a strong collection of NBA athletes. Greece’s squad included Giannis Antetokounmpo along with his brothers Kostas and Thanasis Antetokounmpo. Serbia’s roster was equally impressive, boasting Nikola Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Topic, Nikola Jovic, and Tristan Vukcevic. This assembly of top-tier talent set high expectations for the exhibition as a precursor to EuroBasket’s opening games on August 27.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Absence and Health Precautions

Despite the excitement, Antetokounmpo will not be traveling with the Greek national team to Cyprus for the preparation matches against Serbia and Israel. This decision aligns with a cautious approach favored by many NBA stars during the offseason to avoid injury or excessive fatigue in less competitive settings. A report from Eurohoops confirmed Antetokounmpo’s withdrawal from the prep tournament, stating,

“Giannis Antetokounmpo is not traveling to Cyprus for the prep tournament which includes a game against Serbia and Israel for the Greek National Team!” —Eurohoops

While fans will miss seeing the MVP matchup this weekend, there remains hope for a meeting between these superstars later in the summer. Serbia and Greece are positioned in separate groups for the tournament and will not meet during initial group play, but a clash is still possible in the knockout rounds.

Looking Ahead to EuroBasket’s Impact on European Basketball

The EuroBasket tournament continues to elevate international basketball by clustering a diverse group of NBA professionals and rising stars on national teams. This event highlights the growing global influence of players like Jokic and Antetokounmpo, who have dominated the NBA yet bring their talents back to international stages. Though the immediate Nikola Jokic NBA MVP matchup is on hold, the tournament sets the stage for high-stakes competition that could lead to a highly charged encounter as the event progresses.