The Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic leads the NBA in kicked-ball violations, by a mile. Since 2020, Jokic has been whistled 127 times for kicking the ball. In the 2022–23 season alone, he racked up 56 kicks, more than any team.
Second on the list? Nikola Vucevic, with 66 over the same stretch. Must be something about the name.
According to ESPN, Jokic has used his right foot 67 times and his left 60. That’s balance – and it’s no accident. His kicks disrupt opposing offenses and force them to reset. It’s a sneaky but effective way to slow things down.
Nikola Jokic's kick ball violations saved some pretty significant buckets for the Nuggets lol.
— Michael Sykes, II (@MikeDSykes) June 10, 2023
I see why Heat fans are mad about this. pic.twitter.com/OSVKxEs3In
The Nuggets star has a rare ability to stop the action and disrupt the opposing offense at will, forcing them to reset the possession.
He’s not a traditional lockdown defender, but Jokic finds his own ways to make an impact. Nuggets assistant coach Popeye Jones says Jokic’s recall is elite:
“If a team tries to go back to [the exact same out-of-bounds play] the next year, he’ll still remember it,” Jones told ESPN.
Even without speed, Jokic has quietly become one of the league’s most active and effective defenders.
Warriors HC Steve Kerr on Nikola Jokic’s impact in today’s era
Stephen Curry lit up the night with 36 points and seven three-pointers, leading the Warriors past the Nuggets 118–104. But even in defeat, Nikola Jokic stood out once again. The Denver star put up 33 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, nearly another triple-double.
After the game, coach Steve Kerr didn’t hold back his admiration:
“It’s unfair to compare eras, but he’s the best center I’ve ever seen. For one year, I’ve played against Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar], I’ve watched him obviously. Kareem couldn’t do all this stuff,” Kerr said, according to Euro Hoops.
The coach acknowledged how the game has changed but emphasized Jokic’s impact in today’s era:
“We’re watching a guy who’s doing things that nobody has ever done before,” he added. “It goes so far beyond the skill level, it’s the competitiveness, the intelligence: he’s absolutely one of the smartest players ever, and you see it in so many different ways.”
NIKOLA JOKIC DID IT AGAIN
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) April 5, 2025
🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/CoCRCd2ujZ
hai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic are locked in a tight race for the 2024–25 Kia MVP. Both are putting together historic seasons, making it nearly impossible to call.
Jokic may have the edge in pure individual numbers. But Shai closes the gap or even takes the lead – thanks to Oklahoma City’s dominant run and their commanding spot atop the Western Conference.
READ: Lakers vs. Warriors Felt More Like a Hollywood Premiere Than an NBA Game
I am a writer passionate about telling the stories behind the game of basketball. From the culture and personalities shaping the sport to the moments that define it, I explore basketball beyond the box score.
