SI

Nikola Jokić Threw the Coolest Pass of the NBA Season, and Fans Rightfully Loved It

Patrick Andres

Apr 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball.
Apr 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball. / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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By acclamation, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić is the greatest passing center ever to live.

His career assist numbers are off the charts—nine per game this year, 9.8 per game last year, and no fewer than seven every year since 2019. The stats do not do justice, however, to the sheer artistry of his passes. His knack for finding open men in impossible places is without parallel.

During the Nuggets' 110–105 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, Jokić blew fans' minds with one pass in particular. Standing out of bounds near his own basket, Jokić nonchalantly threw the ball the length of the court—into the waiting arms of guard Justin Holiday, who knocked down a three-pointer.

Fans were aghast.

Many mused aloud whether the big man is of this Earth.

Some used the highlight to make the case that Jokić should win the league's MVP award.

A few urged Jokić to try his hand at American football.

There may come a time when the "big man" qualifer may have to be removed from his "best passer" designation.

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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .

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