Nikola Jokic tells booing Denver fans they are not welcome anymore

Nikola Jokic, the three-time NBA Most Valuable Player for the Denver Nuggets, has declared that fans who booed the team during a recent home game are "not welcome anymore." The comments came after the Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 141-135 on Saturday night, a victory that capped a significant second-half comeback.

The Nuggets entered halftime trailing the Pelicans 75-57 at Ball Arena. According to Jokic, he and his teammates heard boos from the crowd during the break. Despite the early deficit, Denver rallied to secure the win, with Jokic recording 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. The source describes the performance as a typical stat line for the center, who is known for such consistency.

Speaking to ESPN, Jokic addressed the negative reaction directly. "We got booed at our first home game, and I think those fans who booed us, they don't need to come anymore," he said. He added that anyone following the team knows they "never quit" and have recovered from worse situations, concluding, "So, if they ask me, they are not welcome anymore."

The team's season record stands at one win and one loss. The Nuggets dropped their opening game of the season to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the Pelicans game, Denver shot 48 percent from the field and 32 percent from beyond the arc. New Orleans capitalized on defensive lapses, scoring 15 points off 12 Denver turnovers.

Last season, the Nuggets finished with a 54-28 record and placed third in the Western Conference. However, their playoff run ended in the first round after a six-game series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The franchise has now recorded at least 50 wins in four consecutive years, though it has only one championship in its history. Fans remain hopeful that additional titles can be secured before what they perceive as a closing window of opportunity.