Basketball News: Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic helped Serbia beat Iceland with a score of 102-73 in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in the European zone on Friday night.
Nikola Jokic recorded six points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals in 23 minutes of playing time.
The three-time NBA MVP scored 3 of 6 two-point shots and missed his only three-point attempt. He ended the match with an efficiency rating of 21.
While Jokic created opportunities for his teammates, Nikola Tanaskovic showed off with the best performance of his career in the national team. The returning Partizan forward scored 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field—including a perfect 4-of-4 three-pointer—while also grabbing five rebounds.
“We didn’t start the match with enough energy, but the second quarter and the whole second half went at the level it should be,” said Jokic after the match, as quoted by Mozzart Sport.
Serbia improved their record to 5-2 in Group J. This victory strengthens Serbia’s position in the top three.
Only the top three teams from that group will advance to the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar. Serbia will end the current window of matches by facing Italy on August 31.
“They beat us several times in important games; we will come there focused and hoping to play at a high level,” said Jokic.
Next, they will play four more matches in the November and February match window. Serbia will face Lithuania twice, and again play against Italy and Iceland once each.
Article Tag: fiba, nikola jokic, serbian national team
Published by Ligaolahraga.com at https://www.ligaolahraga.com/basket/nikola-jokic-antarkan-serbia-tumbangkan-islandia