Jokic Leads Serbia to Olympic Bronze with Historic Triple-Double Against Germany – Nikola Jokic recorded the fifth triple-double in men’s Olympic basketball history, leading Serbia to a 93-83 victory over Germany in the bronze medal game on Saturday, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Jokic, the Denver Nuggets star, contributed 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, helping Serbia secure its second Olympic medal.
Serbia’s win was bolstered by strong performances from other NBA stars. Vasilije Micic of the Charlotte Hornets also scored 19 points, while Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia’s captain and the all-time leading scorer in Olympic competition, added 16 points.
Reflecting on the team’s recovery after a tough semifinal loss to Team USA, Bogdanovic shared, “It was difficult to sleep after that loss. We didn’t sleep at all that night. But the next day, our coach, Svetislav Pesic, was ready with a team meeting. We believed in each other and stayed united. We win together, we lose together, and we celebrate together.”
Serbia dominated early, making 12 of their first 17 shots, and led 46-38 at halftime. A decisive 18-7 run in the third quarter extended their lead to 19 points, effectively sealing the victory. Germany, led by Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner, and Moritz Wagner, struggled offensively and couldn’t mount a comeback.
“We weren’t leaving without a medal, especially after what happened two days ago,” said Filip Petrusev. “We owed it to ourselves, our country, and the people who supported us. The whole country was proud of our efforts against Team USA, and we had to bring something home. This team has a bright future and could be one of the best Serbia has ever had.”
Germany, despite a strong run in group play, failed to secure their first Olympic medal. After an undefeated performance in last year’s FIBA World Cup, back-to-back losses in the semifinals and the bronze medal game sent the team home empty-handed. However, 30-year-old Schroder remains committed to international competition. “Coach, I plan to play until I’m 40,” Schroder told reporters, expressing his long-term dedication to the German national team.
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The game could mark the end of an era for Serbian coach Svetislav Pesic, whose contract has expired. While uncertain about his future, Pesic hopes to continue contributing to Serbian basketball as the team looks ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, as reported by Kevin Martorano of Sportando.
