Nikola Jokic and his Denver Nuggets teammates were riding high after their championship ring ceremony on Tuesday night, which preceded their victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023-24 NBA season opener. However, amidst the celebrations, Jokic remains grounded, never losing sight of the essence of basketball.

“I think it’s amazing to see how many lives we impact just playing basketball. The happiness and joy of people who are supporting us, it’s a really amazing sensation.”

When asked about the overwhelming love and support from Nuggets fans during the team’s championship ceremony, Jokic humbly responded, “To be honest…I think it’s amazing to see how many lives we impact and just the happiness and the joy of people who are supporting us, it’s really an amazing sensation.” As a two-time MVP and Finals MVP over the last three seasons, Jokic’s excellence has naturally earned him adoration from both Nuggets fans and NBA enthusiasts at large. Yet, Jokic doesn’t just receive love; he reciprocates it by acknowledging the profound impact the NBA and his role in it can have.

This sentiment arrives on the heels of recent discussions regarding Jokic’s offseason routine, which stirred questions about his dedication to the game. Regardless of whether basketball is the sole focal point in his life, it’s evident that Jokic holds a deep appreciation and affection for the positive influence he can exert through the NBA and his significant role in it.

Jokic’s postgame message serves as the perfect conclusion to a remarkable night for Nuggets fans, who witnessed the raising of the team’s championship banner at Ball Arena and then saw Jokic achieve a triple-double, leading his teammates to thwart the Los Angeles Lakers’ quest for revenge following last season’s Western Conference Finals sweep.