Nikola Jokic turns 30 and he's having one of his best seasons, averaging a triple-double

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets gathered around Nikola Jokic near the 3-point line Wednesday and belted out a rather off-key version of “ happy birthday ” in honor of him turning 30.

Usually so poised on the court, the three-time NBA MVP seemed almost bashful.

“I don’t like my birthday,” Jokic explained. “Getting older.”

And better?

“Like wine,” he cracked.

In a lot of ways, Jokic remains very much a kid at heart, right down to his new Peppa Pig-themed sneakers. But his game has certainly matured to the point where he keeps setting the bar higher and higher for himself and just might be in the midst of his finest season of them all. He's averaging 29.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 10.2 assists.

In addition, he's posted a league-leading 25 triple-doubles, which is just four shy of tying the franchise record he set in 2022-23.

His coach, Michael Malone, was stumped by just what might be the ceiling for his big man?

“Geez, I don’t know. He keeps on pushing the envelope,” said Malone, whose team will host Charlotte on Thursday night. “When you’re dealing with greatness, you never want to put a ceiling on that. We want to give him room to grow and and watch that, because it’s really fun to be a part of that process.”

Jokic began suiting up for the Nuggets as a 20-year-old kid who needed to improve his fitness and hone his footwork. Over the past decade, he's blossomed into one of the league's most hard-to-contain players and led the Nuggets to their first NBA championship in 2023.

He’s married now with two young kids. He has a bronze medal he earned with Serbia last summer at the Paris Olympics. His sponsor, 361 Degrees, is getting ready to launch his signature shoe, which is inspired by Peppa Pig, the character in the long-running children’s series. (“They made it. I like it. They're going to be cool,” Jokic said.)

This season, he's showing off the latest wrinkle to his game — long-range shooting. He's hitting a career-best 45% from beyond the 3-point line.

“He is playing the best basketball of his life,” Malone said. "At his heart, he’s still the same person. He’s still Nikola Jokic from Sombor, Serbia. He’s never forgotten where he’s come from, or who’s helped him get here.”

Given his style of play, Malone believes Jokic could last in the league at an elite level for a while.

“The way (Jokic) dominates the game is with intelligence and skill, not athleticism,” Malone said. “He’s not driving down the lane and dunking on people every night. So I think that bodes well for his longevity."

That is, if the desire remains strong. He said that sticking around long enough so his kids can see him play is, “not going to be a factor for me."

Jokic returned to town after competing for Chuck’s Global Stars in the All-Star Game last weekend. He had two points in 10 minutes as his squad lost to Shaq’s OGs in the final.

It wasn't exactly his idea of rest and relaxation.

“Part of the business, part of the job,” Jokic said of his trip to San Francisco for the weekend festivities. "I would rather be somewhere else ... it’s a blessing and a curse.”

Now, it’s back to work for the Nuggets, who have won eight in a row and are currently the third seed in the Western Conference. They're returning to health, too, with Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring), Russell Westbrook (hamstring) and Aaron Gordon (calf) all going through practice Wednesday. The only player missing was Peyton Watson (knee).

They have 27 games remaining to tinker with lineups and find the right combinations for a playoff push.

“People say, ‘Oh, that’s a tough decision,’” Malone said. “I look at it the opposite way. I’m really fortunate to have a tough decision to make where you have quality players that have really impacted winning. It’s never about one player. It’s about what’s best for our team.”

That’s the attitude of Jokic, too.

“He’s our heartbeat,” said Julian Strawther, who took part in the Rising Stars event over the weekend. “It’s not always being a vocal leader but leading by example with the things he does and how hard he works. Having him on our side, it makes us feel a lot better.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, left, collects a loose ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) gets tangled up with Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton, center, is fouled by Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, while driving to the basket past center Nikola Jokic in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, fields a pass as Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, shakes hands with New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns during the NBA All-Star basketball game Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, drives to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is introduced during the NBA All-Star basketball game Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Congo’s famous living statue finally made his World Cup debut on Tuesday.

Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, who gained fame during the Africa Cup of Nations for posing as a statue of Congo’s assassinated independence leader Patrice Lumumba for the entirety of games, attended Congo's 1-0 loss to Colombia after missing its opener against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine requirements.

Lumumba Vea, as the sharply dressed supporter is known for his resemblance to the slain leader, was at his seat about an hour before the game at Estadio Akron. He wore a bright red jacket and tie, yellow shirt and blue pants. When the game began, he stood motionless on a pedestal behind the Congo bench with his right arm raised.

Nkuka Mboladinga was a few minutes late back to the pedestal after halftime, but he stood there until the end and even a few minutes after the final whistle.

He did not want to be interview but nodded and smiled when asked if he was happy to have finally made it to the World Cup.

Congo played Portugal to a 1-1 draw last week in Houston.

Nkuka Mboladinga also missed Congo’s World Cup playoff match against Jamaica earlier this year — when his nation secured a return to the tournament after 52 years — because he was unable to get a visa in time. He had traveled to Kenya and then Ethiopia in a bid to get a visa for the game, which was also played in Guadalajara.

Nkuka Mboladinga became a social media sensation at the Africa Cup for posing as a statue of Lumumba on a pedestal with his right hand raised and standing still throughout games.

Lumumba was an activist who helped to end Belgium’s colonial rule over Congo in 1960. He became the newly independent country’s first prime minister and was seen as one of Africa’s most promising leaders, but he was assassinated within a year during a struggle against a Belgian-backed secessionist movement in the mineral-rich Katanga region.

A Belgian court in March ordered a 93-year-old former diplomat to stand trial for the slaying. Etienne Davignon, who previously denied wrongdoing, is the last living among 10 Belgians suspected of involvement in the killing and has been charged with “participation in war crimes” for his role in the “unlawful detention and transfer” of Lumumba.

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup

Congo supporter Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, poses as a statue of the country's assassinated independence hero Patrice Lumumba ahead of the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Congo in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Congo supporter Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, poses as a statue of the country's assassinated independence hero Patrice Lumumba ahead of the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Congo in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Congo supporter Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, poses dressed as the country's assassinated independence hero Patrice Lumumba, reacts ahead of the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Congo in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Congo supporter Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, poses as a statue of the country's assassinated independence hero Patrice Lumumba ahead of the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Congo in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Congo supporter Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, poses as a statue of the country's assassinated independence hero Patrice Lumumba, reacts before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Congo in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Congo supporter Michel Nkuka Mboladinga impersonating the country's assassinated independence hero Patrice Lumumba reacts before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Congo in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)