Nikola Jokic kicked off the new year in style, delivering a masterclass performance against the Atlanta Hawks: 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists. The Joker wishes you a Happy New Year!
Jokic Makes MVP Statement Against Hawks
In his quest for MVP honors, Nikola Jokic can confidently add this game against Atlanta to his highlight reel. The Hawks appeared to have left their defense back in 2024, and that was a cue Jokic didn’t need twice.
First Half Dominance
By halftime, the reigning MVP had already filled the stat sheet: 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 15 assists. It was evident from the get-go that he was in the zone.
Second Half Surge
Post-intermission, the king of the court continued his effortless stroll, effectively sealing the deal before the final quarter even began.
Hawks Come Up Short
Unsurprisingly, the Hawks lacked the firepower to slow down the Serbian sensation. The only player who made a serious attempt was Zaccharie Risacher, who pulled off a slick chase-down block on the triple MVP. Outside of that, Atlanta was picked apart like a hatchling falling from its nest.
A Multi-Faceted Performance
Nikola Jokic wrapped up his first game of the year with an impressive 23 points (8/16 shooting), 17 rebounds, and 15 assists in just 29 minutes. Fans were even treated to a highlight-reel dunk in transition, thanks to a pinpoint assist from Russell Westbrook, which doesn’t happen every day.
Russ repays the favor with a dime to the Joker for the slam 💥 https://t.co/VLuaIL8LfK
— NBA (@NBA) January 2, 2025
Nuggets’ Dominance
Following Jokic’s lead, the Nuggets devoured the Hawks, 139 to 120, and reclaimed their spot in the top 5 of the West.
A Continued Assault on the NBA
Just like in 2024, Nikola Jokic is continuing to dominate the NBA, proving once again that he is a force to be reckoned with.