Jokic shuts down retirement talk: “I’m going to play basketball until I can play on a high level”

In a brief sit-down, jokic said he has no plans to walk away from the game, declaring, “I’m going to play basketball until I can play on a high level. ” The remark came as he reflected on a recent injury, his love of competition and questions about how long he will keep playing.

Jokic rejects the “doesn’t care” narrative

In the interview with Malika Andrews, Nikola Jokic pushed back hard on a persistent storyline about his demeanor. “I care a lot, ” he said, then added a blunt measure of commitment: “I think if you don’t care for winning, you’re not supposed to be in this sport. ” The exchange followed an All-Star Weekend in which Kevin Durant publicly criticized Jokic and Luka Doncic for the level of intensity in an exhibition setting, a moment that helped prompt Jokic’s fuller response.

He chose an NBA championship over horse-racing glory

Andrews pressed Jokic about his other passion—horse racing—and asked him to choose between a racing championship and an NBA title. Jokic answered without hesitation: “NBA championship, right now. ” The line underscored how he prioritizes the court even as he balances outside interests.

Knee injury, season numbers and what he said next

Jokic turned 31 on Thursday and spent part of the season sidelined by the most significant injury of his career, missing 16 games with what he described as a knee issue. He called the layoff “a completely new moment in my career” and said he felt like he was “missing out, ” pacing in huddles and barking instructions to teammates while he watched from the bench.

Even with that absence, his season numbers in the portions covered in the interview were striking: he averaged 28. 7 points, 12. 3 rebounds and 10. 7 assists per game, led the league in assists and rebounds, ranked seventh in scoring, and was shooting 59% from the field and 42% from three. Those figures framed his refusal to entertain retirement talk and his insistence that he still enjoys competing.

Looking ahead, Jokic summarized his plan plainly: “To be honest, I think I’m going to play basketball until I can play on a high level. ” That declaration is the clearest statement yet that he intends to continue his career while he can perform at the level he demands of himself.