Nikola Jokić Rebukes Nuggets Fans for Booing Team at Home

WHO:

NY Post - Nikola Jokić criticized Denver Nuggets fans who booed the team during its home opener.

Fox News - Jokić is a three-time NBA MVP and center for the Denver Nuggets.

Fox News - The game involved the Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Pelicans; the article identifies Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan, Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, and referee Scott Foster.

Pro Football Network - Jokić addressed Nuggets fans who booed during the team’s home opener.

WHAT:

Bleacher Report - Jamal Murray scored 42 points, including eight three-pointers.

Bleacher Report - Jokić said the early deficit came from “nothing goes your way, they’re making shots and you’re not making shots,” adding that “it was just bad energy” and the team needed “a couple of minutes to go by so you can get out of it.”

Bleacher Report - Jokić was 10 triple-doubles short of Russell Westbrook’s NBA record of 209.

Bleacher Report - Denver played without Cam Johnson, Alpha Diallo, Julian Strawther, and Spencer Jones.

The Denver Post - The Nuggets completed a 23-point comeback, overcoming a 126–119 deficit with 1:19 remaining.

The Denver Post - Jokić said Nuggets fans should support the team if they are fans: “If they are Nuggets fans, they should support us.”

The Denver Post - The boos began early in the second quarter, after Denver fell behind 45–26. A fan yelled, “What the (expletive) is going on?” Another said, “We pay for these tickets and you guys play like this?”

The Denver Post - Coach David Adelman called the first-half effort “dismal” and “a horrendous first half for us,” but said, “I liked the fight back.”

The Denver Post - Aaron Gordon said Denver needed to stop starting games that way, warning, “Can’t do that with contenders, be lackadaisical for three quarters and then expect a contender to let you back in the game.”

The Denver Post - New Orleans shot 10-for-21 from three-point range in the first half; Denver shot below 50% from the field.

NY Post - The Nuggets completed a comeback and defeated the Pelicans.

Fox News - Denver won 141–135 in overtime after trailing 75–57 at halftime; Jokić recorded 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Fox News - Jokić said: “We got booed at our first home game, and I think those fans who booed us, they don't need to come anymore.” He added: “If you guys follow us, you know that we never quit and we've come back from much worse situations. So, if they ask me, they are not welcome anymore.”

Fox News - Denver shot 48% from the floor and 32% from three-point range; New Orleans scored 15 points off 12 Denver turnovers.

Fox News - Denver had lost its season opener to the Oklahoma City Thunder and was seeking to avoid starting the season 0–2.

Fox News - Denver finished the previous season 54–28, placed third in the Western Conference, and lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs in six games. The Nuggets had recorded at least 50 wins in four consecutive seasons and had won one championship.

Pro Football Network - Denver rallied to win in overtime after fans booed during the game.

WHERE:

Fox News - The game was played at Ball Arena in Denver.

WHEN:

Bleacher Report - Denver’s next game was scheduled against the Golden State Warriors on Monday.

Fox News - The game took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

WHY:

Bleacher Report - The article said the absences of Cam Johnson, Alpha Diallo, Julian Strawther, and Spencer Jones could have contributed to Denver’s poor start.

Fox News - Jokić said fans who booed should not attend because the team had a history of not quitting and had come back from worse situations.

The Denver Nuggets overcame a 23-point deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 141 to 135 in overtime at Ball Arena. After Denver fell behind 45 to 26 early, fans booed the team, and Nikola Jokić said those who booed “don’t need to come anymore.” The three-time MVP later said fans should support the team, which has a history of fighting back. Denver trailed 75 to 57 at halftime and was down 126 to 119 with 1:19 left before rallying. Jokić finished with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, while Jamal Murray scored 42 points, including eight three-pointers. Coach David Adelman called the first half dismal but praised the team’s response. Aaron Gordon said Denver could not afford to start games so poorly against contenders. The Nuggets played without four players and next face the Golden State Warriors on Monday.