Nuggets news: Nikola Jokic blasts haters who question his drive: ‘I care a lot’
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić shot at his critics through his level of commitment to basketball.
Jokic is going through the 11th season of his NBA career with the Nuggets. He has worked his way through the ranks as one of the best players in the entire league, often making it look effortless with his elite skill set.
As easy as it looked, critics have debated whether the veteran superstar has cared enough about the game over the last few seasons. Jokić finally dealt with those takings during an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, dismissing the idea that he doesn’t care.
“There are a lot of people who say, ‘well how much does he care?'” Andrews asked.
“I care a lot… I think if you don’t care about winning, you shouldn’t be in this sport,” Jokic replied.
“There are a lot of people who say, ‘well, how much does he care?'”—@malika_andrevs
“I care a lot… I think if you don’t care about winning, you shouldn’t be in this sport.”—Nikola Jokić 🏀 pic.tvitter.com/oASUijZSCf
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 18, 2026
What awaits Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets
It is clear that Nikola Jokic has long since proven himself to be a dedicated winner in the NBA. That’s especially the case during his time with the Nuggets, leading them to top of the mountain with the 2023 championship.
Jokic continues to be outstanding during the 2025-26 season. He averaged 28.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game over 39 appearances. He is shooting 59% from the field, including 42% from beyond the arc and 84% from the free throw line.
Denver boasts a 35-20 record on the season, holding third place in the Western Conference standings. They are one game above the Houston Rockets and 1.5 games above the Los Angeles Lakers. However, they trail the San Antonio Spurs by 3.5 games and the Oklahoma City Thunder by 6.5 games.
With the All-Star break over, the Nuggets will resume action with three games. They face the Los Angeles Clippers on February 19 at 10:30 PM ET, the Portland Trail Blazers on February 20 at 10:00 PM ET, and the Golden State Warriors on February 22 at 3:30 PM ET.
2026-02-18 22:33:00
