Nikola Jokic is channeling Peaky Blinders again, following the Denver Nuggets’ decisive 133-111 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, October 25.
In the Nuggets’ home opener, Jokic put on a stellar performance, recording 14 points, 14 rebounds, 15 assists, and 3 steals. When reporters asked if he felt any sense of relief when Jonas Valanciunas entered the game, Jokic smiled and said, “I never relax and breathe easy, my friend. Thomas Shelby said there is no rest for me in this world,” referencing the main character from the British drama *Peaky Blinders*.
This isn’t the first time Jokic has shown his love for the show. Back in 2023, he made a stylish entrance at a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves wearing full *Peaky Blinders* attire — a long black wool coat, white turtleneck, black dress pants, matching dress shoes, and of course, Thomas Shelby’s signature hat.
This season marks Valanciunas’ first with the Nuggets, where he serves as a backup to Jokic. Last night, he impressed fans by making 10 shots in just 13 minutes on the court.
Reflecting on his role, Valanciunas shared the challenges of being Jokic’s backup. “Back when I was in Denver, I kept wondering why I wasn’t getting more of a chance,” he said. “For every guy who’s a backup for Jokic, that’s probably the hardest job in the world. You play 10 minutes and whatever you do, it’s not good enough compared to when Jokic does it. That was the hardest part. After that, I worked on my mental strength and everything started to get better.”
The Denver Nuggets will face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their next game tomorrow, October 27.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/denver-nuggets/nuggets-news-nikola-jokic-peaky-blinders-smashing-suns
