Historic Scoring Spree by Nikola Jokic in Serbia's Victory Over Latvia at EuroBasket 2025: Playmaking Taken Backseat for Remarkable Point Total
Nikola Jokic Shines as Serbia Advances to Knockout Round at EuroBasket 2025
In a thrilling game against Latvia, Nikola Jokic led Serbia to an 84-80 victory, clinching a spot in the knockout round of EuroBasket 2025. The Denver Nuggets centre put on a spectacular display, scoring a career-high 39 points and breaking his own record for the highest-scoring game by a Serbian player in EuroBasket history.
Jokic's performance was a team effort, with his fellow players stepping up to support him. Serbian guard Aleksa Avramovic found Jokic open at the top of the key for the decisive three-pointer, extending Serbia's lead to seven points with just over 90 seconds remaining. Avramovic was full of praise for Jokic, commenting that he has no words to describe his performance.
Throughout the game, Jokic made 15 out of 26 field goal attempts, including a key three-pointer that proved to be the most important basket of the match. He was also impressive on the boards, finishing with 10 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists, adding 3 steals to his tally.
Jokic's dominance on the court was not limited to scoring and rebounding. He also held his own against Atlanta Hawks centre Kristaps Porzinģis, who was also playing in the tournament. The specifics of their matchup were not detailed, but Jokic's ability to compete against one of the best centres in the NBA was a testament to his skill and determination.
Serbia, one of the favourites to win EuroBasket 2025, is now 3-0 and has advanced to the knockout round. They will face Czechia on Monday and Türkiye on Wednesday in the group stage. Fans in Germany can catch all the action live on RTL, which broadcasts all German team matches, select knockout round games, and the final free-to-air. All 76 games are also available live on MagentaTV and MagentaSport, with MagentaTV holding the primary rights and offering German games free without subscription.
Filip Petrušev, another Serbian player, praised Jokic's leadership, stating that it motivates other players to step up. With Jokic at the helm, Serbia looks set to make a deep run in this year's EuroBasket competition.
In the tournament, Jokic is fifth in scoring and third in rebounding, but only 19th in assists. However, his impact on the court goes beyond the statistics, and his performance against Latvia was a testament to his talent and determination. As Serbia continues its quest for EuroBasket glory, Jokic will undoubtedly be at the forefront, leading the team with his exceptional play.
