Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets star known for his calm and reserved demeanor, recently showed unexpected emotion when his horse won a race in Serbia. Videos of him tearfully celebrating the victory went viral and sparked harsh criticism from fans, who contrasted his passionate reaction to the horse race with his subdued response after the Nuggets won the NBA championship. Many fans mocked him on social media, suggesting he cares more about horse racing than basketball, with some interpreting his reaction as a sign that basketball might be a “side job” for him.

This reaction surprised many because during the Nuggets’ championship win, Jokić appeared eager to leave and downplayed the celebration, stating, “The job is done…We can go home now.” Despite the backlash and trolling, Jokić has not publicly responded to the criticism. Some fans speculated that his emotional response to the horse race might reflect a desire to succeed in something beyond basketball, highlighting the pressure athletes feel about being defined by a single talent.