Nikola Jokic wasn't happy to hear booing during the Denver Nuggets' first home game of the season, urging those fans to stay away from future contests.
After helping Denver erase a 23-point deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 141-135 in overtime Saturday, the three-time MVP called out a subset of home fans who jeered the Nuggets before they pulled off their comeback.
"I think those fans who booed us, they don't need to come anymore," Jokic said postgame, courtesy of DNVR Sports. "If you guys follow us, you know that we never quit and we've come back from much worse or similar situations. So if they ask me, they're not welcome anymore."
The Denver Nuggets are getting booed at their home opener. https://t.co/OhT2oD90k2
— Showtime Luka (@showtimeluka) October 25, 2026
Denver trailed for most of Saturday's contest, with New Orleans up by 19 points at the end of the third quarter. However, the Nuggets outscored the Pelicans 37-18 in the fourth, capped by game-tying free throws by Jamal Murray with 17 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
Jokic led Denver with eight points, seven rebounds, and a block in the extra frame, though rookie Trevon Brazile also provided an unlikely boost. The 23-year-old blocked Saddiq Bey's three-point attempt just seconds into overtime, then contributed seven points and three rebounds to help Denver pick up its first win of the season.
"You know, nothing goes your way: they're making shots, you're not making shots," Jokic said about the Nuggets' slow start. "It was just bad energy, and then it needs a couple minutes to go by so you can get out of that bad (energy)."
The Serbian center ended his postgame presser with a message to future home crowds: "If they're Nuggets fans, they should support us."
