Nikola Jokić Says He’ll Take the All-Star Game ‘The Same’ — Not Turning Up the Heat for New Format
Nikola Jokić downplayed expectations that the NBA’s revamped All-Star setup will spark a different effort from him, telling media in Los Angeles he plans to play the game the same way he always does. The Denver Nuggets center — an eight-time All-Star and the top fan vote-getter this season — pushed back on the suggestion that the three-team format will change his mindset.
Jokić: ‘I’m going to play how I play every year’
Asked whether the new structure — two Team USA squads and one Team World roster — might stoke more intensity, Jokić was blunt. “I think we’re going to see it tomorrow. I’m gonna play how I play every year. I’m not sure that it’s going to bring another fire to me because I play every game the same. To me, no. ”
The comment underscores a familiar approach from the three-time MVP: reliable, measured and focused on his individual routine rather than chasing exhibition-game narratives. Across seven previous All-Star appearances he has posted modest totals compared with his regular-season dominance, averaging 6. 9 points, 5. 9 rebounds and 4. 9 assists, while shooting efficiently from the floor and from distance.
Format changes, teammate motives and viewer expectations
The league’s attempt to retool the showcase aims to inject some competitive intrigue, and a handful of players have signaled they will treat this edition with more seriousness. Still, the absence of some headline names because of injury has tempered pregame buzz, and not every star has embraced the idea that format alone will alter how players approach an exhibition.
Jokić’s stance dovetails with a wider debate about what modern All-Star games should be: a high-flying, socially-driven spectacle or a legitimately contested matchup. Critics point to years of low-intensity play and sliding TV ratings as evidence that changes were needed. Defenders note that few players are willing to risk injury in a non-competitive setting, and that the All-Star Game has always balanced entertainment with caution.
What to expect from Jokić and Team World
Expect the usual Jokic mix: efficient scoring, playmaking from the high post and a calm on-court presence that facilitates teammates' highlights. He remains a magnetic figure for fans, having led voting with 1, 998, 560 fan votes this season, and his involvement guarantees moments that will generate social clips even if he is not chasing maximum intensity.
Whether that will satisfy viewers hoping the new format produces a more competitive contest is another question. Some players have publicly said they intend to play harder; others have been more ambivalent. Jokić’s message is straightforward — his All-Star output will be an extension of his regular habits rather than a radical change — making him unlikely to be the spark that turns the exhibition into a playoff-level affair.
With the game set to tip off in Los Angeles, all eyes will be on how the altered structure plays out on the court and whether different approaches from individual stars can combine into a more engaged spectacle. For now, Jokić has put expectations into perspective: he will do what he always does, and fans will see how that fits into the broader experiment on All-Star Sunday.
