NBA Playoffs Shock: Nikola Jokić’s Joker Costume Sends Powerful Message Before Game 3

Denver was still reeling from a brutal drubbing in Oklahoma City when Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets’ triple-threat MVP, decided it was time to flip the script — and the wardrobe. Heading into Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, with his team hungry to claw back a lead, Jokić showed up decked out as none other than the Joker himself — the iconic Batman nemesis whose name the Nuggets’ superstar has long humorously carried. Picture this: purple suit, vibrant green vest, and a flashy chain — a sartorial shout-out that was anything but subtle. Now, knowing Jokić’s usually the quiet type, not one for grandstanding or fashion statements, this was unexpected enough to catch even Head Coach David Adelman off guard during his pregame chat. What’s clear is that after a staggering 149-106 Game 2 loss, some kind of change — mindset, momentum, mojo — was desperately needed. Whether the Joker’s garb would translate to playoff redemption on the court? The stage was set, the drama real. LEARN MORE

AdvertisementAdvertisementWith his Denver Nuggets back home and a chance to take a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals, the Joker dressed up pregame Friday night as, well, the Joker. Seriously.

Jokić showed up to Ball Arena decked out in a purple suit, a green vest and a chain on his vest in an obvious nod to the Batman villain that’s become Jokić’s namesake during his rise as a three-time NBA MVP.

It was certainly not typical of Jokić, who’s generally not one to make waves with his fashion sense or his pregame tunnel walks.”Not that I remember,” Adelman said. “But you should ask him that question. I’m not part of how he dresses every day. That’s pretty cool, though.”AdvertisementIt was enough to prompt a question to Nuggets head coach David Adelman during his pregame news conference. He hadn’t seen it. And he’s not aware of Jokić making statements with his wardrobe choice before.