DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic arrived in character for a first-round playoff game Saturday night.
That character was “Gru,” the protagonist from the “Despicable Me” movies.
Jokic, the two-time NBA MVP for the Denver Nuggets, wore a similar outfit and signature wrap-around striped scarf as “Gru.” It was a hit on social media, with the Nuggets posting, "going to play basketball or going to steal the moon?”
“I mean, I love the guy and I love the cartoon and why not just have a little bit of fun, too?” Jokic said after leading the Nuggets to a 114-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series.
The outfit he wore to the game appeared to be a tease to his appearance in a promotion for “Despicable Me 4,” where he seeks therapy because the Minions think he’s their boss.
In the trailer, Jokic sits on a couch in a suit while talking with a therapist. He explains how everyone thinks he looks like “Gru.”
“I thought I looked really good that day. I put on this beautiful suit that said, ‘I mean business,'" Jokic tells the therapist.
“Then what happened?” she wonders.
“They say I look like ‘Gru,’” Jokic responds.
"Why does that bother you?" she asks.
“It doesn’t,” Jokic insists.
"Then why bring it up? she inquires.
“Because they won’t leave me alone,” Jokic says.
Jokic then walks over to a window and pulls up a shade to reveal a handful of Minions cheering for “Gru” from outside.
“Guys, I’m not your boss," Jokic says.
Jokic is the certainly boss on the court for the Nuggets, averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and nine assists this season. He's the favorite to win a third MVP award, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. He was the MVP of the finals last season when the Nuggets captured their first NBA title in franchise history.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up prior to Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round play off game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Alex Ovechkin scored three goals Sunday night to continue his pursuit of Wayne Gretzy's career record, and former Golden Knight Logan Thompson saved 40 shots in his first game back at T-Mobile Arena as the Washington Capitals beat Vegas 5-2.
Jakob Chychrun and Jakub Vrana also scored goals for the Capitals, and Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas each had two assists.
Brett Howden and Keegan Kolesar scored for the Golden Knights, and Ilya Samsonov stopped 20 shots.
Ovechkin now has 866 goals, 29 from surpassing The Great One as the NHL career leader. It was his 31st career hat trick and his 176th career multigoal game, behind only Gretzky's 189. Ovechkin also extended his record to 315 power-play goals.
Both goals also were his first against former Capitals goalie Samsonov.
The Golden Knights played a video tribute to Thompson, who played for the club from 2021-24, midway through the first period. He appeared emotional as the crowd roared, repeatedly tapping his heart.
Vegas' loss left coach Bruce Cassidy still one victory shy of 400.
Capitals: Thompson is 2-0 against his former team this season, saving 64 of 68 shots.
Golden Knights: Jack Eichel extended his point streak to six games. He has two goals and 10 assists over that stretch.
Showing he’s not simply an offensive player, Ovechkin saved a goal in the second period when he got his stick on Ivan Barbashev’s open-net shot. That allow the Capitals to remain in front 3-2.
The Capitals were winless in six previous regular-season trips to T-Mobile before this game. Washington, of course, won the 2018 Stanley Cup in this arena.
The Capitals visit Utah on Monday to conclude three-game road swing. The Golden Knights visit Toronto on Wednesday to open five-game road trip.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) celebrates after scoring against the Washington Capitals during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael (24) skates around Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) attempts to knock the puck away against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, center, celebrates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
