With a 94-89 win last night, Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, crowning them the 2023 NBA champions. As confetti fell from the ceiling in Ball Arena, over a dozen Denver Nuggets actualized a lifelong dream, and players reveled in the moment with tears and trophies. But as celebrations went on, one thing became clear: Their Serbian superstar just wanted to go home.


Nikola Jokić and his man-boobs were the face of this year’s NBA finals. After winning league MVP in each of the previous two seasons, Jokić climbed the final rung up the ladder of NBA greatness this year and secured his first title, winning finals MVP in the process. But the Serbian-born seven-footer, known as ‘Joker’ for his fan-favorite interview antics, was clearly less emotional than his teammates.



“The job is done, we can go home now,” he said on the court in a post-game interview. And upon learning he couldn't leave town until after the upcoming championship parade next Thursday, he was less than pleased.



“It’s not everything in the world,” he said about playing basketball and winning a championship. “There’s a bunch of things that I like, that I like to do.”


He even went on to imply that perhaps he doesn’t even enjoy basketball all that much.


“Nobody likes his job,” he said. “Maybe they do, they’re lying.”


During the post-game celebrations, fans memed his laid-back demeanor and unenthused attempt to spray champagne. Jokić looked tired, and well, like a man who just wanted to go home.




But despite his talk of homesickness and jobs, Jokić finished up his championship interview by telling fans what really matters to him.


“Every play we believed in each other,” he said. “And I think that’s the most important thing.”