Nikola Jokic just won an NBA championship, but unlike Super Bowl winners, he definitely isn't interested in going to Disney World. He just wants to return to his hometown of Sombor, Serbia.
The Nuggets star has built a strong connection with the northern Serbian city, which sits near the borders of Croatia and Hungary. He was raised in Sombor, living with his parents, two brothers and grandmother in a small apartment and developing his passion for basketball as a young man.
Those roots are a big reason why Jokic is so excited to take the trip back to Sombor as soon as possible. But he is also eager to visit a few of his nonhuman friends.
MORE: Jokic's daughter steals show with adorable Finals MVP moment
Why Nikola Jokic wants to go home after Nuggets' championship parade
Immediately after the Nuggets defeated the Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to capture the 2023 title, Jokic told ESPN's Lisa Salters, "The job is done. We can go home now." When asked about Thursday's championship parade, Jokic declared, "I need to go home."
Jokić was asked if he's looking forward to the Championship parade.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 13, 2023
"No. I need to go home." 🤣 pic.twitter.com/1ZkPSG6mFe
Jokic elaborated on his offseason plans during an NBA TV interview, explaining that he wants to get back home for a horse race on Sunday. He called on Nuggets president Josh Kroenke to book him a flight to Sombor.
"I'm going to ask Josh to give me the plane," Jokic said. "I did it on TV. I put him under pressure. Yes, I did. I don't feel bad at all."
"I'm going to ask Josh to gimme the plane."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 13, 2023
Jokić is making it home for his horse races by any means necessary 😂 🏇 pic.twitter.com/KJgZeG4FRg
Jokic's love for horses began when he was a child, and it has only grown stronger throughout his NBA career. He bought his first horse, "Dream Catcher," back in 2016, and he now owns "more than half a dozen horses and spends much of his offseasons in Serbia tending to the animals at his own stable," according to The Athletic's Nick Kosmider.
A Nuggets traveling party even met Jokic at his stable last year to hand him the 2021-22 MVP award.
"It was a really emotional moment for me, of course," Jokic said at the time. "I think nobody ever came here, so I think it's actually amazing. ... It's a once-in-a-lifetime [moment]."
What an entrance 👏
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 11, 2022
Jokic pulled up to collect his #KiaMVP award in style at his horse stable in Serbia. pic.twitter.com/tnFQ2n2mjM
When is the Nuggets' NBA championship parade? Time difference for Sombor, Serbia
- Date: Thursday, June 15
- Time: 10 a.m. (Denver) | 6 p.m. (Sombor)
Pre-rally activities will begin at 9 a.m. local time, and the championship parade will start at 10 a.m. local time (6 p.m. in Sombor) on Thursday, June 15.
Festivities are expected to conclude by 2 p.m. local time.
SEE Y'ALL AT THE PARADE 🥳
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) June 13, 2023
➡️ https://t.co/b6uZCN3ZYo pic.twitter.com/z5jV29iwtq
How to watch Nuggets' championship parade
- TV channel: NBA TV | Altitude Sports | Denver7
- Streaming: Sling TV | Denver 8 TV | Denver7.com
The championship parade will be available to watch on NBA TV. Fans in the Denver area can catch the event on Altitude Sports and Denver7.
The celebration will also be available to stream via Sling TV, Denver 8 TV and Denver7.com.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the Nuggets' championship parade on Sling TV, which is now offering half off your first month! Stream the sports you love starting at just $20 in your first month with Sling Orange.
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