Nikola Jokic
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Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is an eight-time NBA All-Star.
One of the biggest criticisms of the NBA All-Star Game is the lack of effort from players, and Kevin Durant blamed players like Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic. Durant stirred the pot ahead of Sunday’s contest that features Team USA Stripes, Team USA Stars and Team World.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Durant was asked by Michael Shapiro of The Houston Chronicle if the “old heads” will be playing hard this Sunday. KD shifted the narrative to the Europeans, specifically Doncic and Jokic, for not putting in a lot of effort during the All-Star Game.
“You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they’re going to compete,” Durant said. “If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let’s go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So, we haven’t questioned what they’ve been doing. But we’re going to question the old heads, and the Americans.”
Durant added that players like Doncic and Jokic don’t care about the All-Star Game. He doesn’t want people to worry about “old heads” like him, LeBron James and Steph Curry.
Jokic Reveals ASG Plans Under New Format
In his 2026 All-Star media availability on Saturday, Nikola Jokic was asked if he’s excited about playing for Team World under the game’s new format.
Jokic wasn’t asked about Kevin Durant’s remarks about effort, but it seemed like there’s not going to be a big change in the Denver Nuggets superstar’s attitude about the All-Star Game.
“I think we’re going to see tomorrow,” Jokic said. “For me, I’m going to play like I played every year. So I think, we don’t … How to say this? I’m going to play how I play every year. I’m not sure that (new format) brings another fire to me because I play every game like same.”
Jokic doesn’t have the best resume in All-Star Games. He’s averaging just 6.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists in eight games, while taking just 4.1 shots per game.
However, “The Joker” did mention the possibility of the new format being competitive, though he anticipates Team USA Stripes featuring veterans like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard will win.
Doncic Responds to Durant’s Remarks
While Nikola Jokic didn’t directly respond to Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic pushed the blame back to the “old heads.” Doncic argued that when he started playing in the All-Star Game, the effort was already lackluster.
“It was the same when I played in my first All-Star game, so I don’t know why KD mentioned me and Jokic,” Doncic said, according to Serbian reporter Matej of Sportinfo. “But I think we’ll see a more competitive game this year with the World vs USA format.”
It’s going to be a very interesting All-Star Game on Sunday. Team World has the best players today, like Doncic, Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, though the last two are out for the contest due to injuries.
On the other hand, Team USA Stripes won’t have Steph Curry because of a knee injury. Team USA Stars, which features the best young players today, would want to prove that they are no longer the future but the now.