Nikola Jokic did not need much time on Christmas Day to remind the basketball world exactly who he is. The Denver Nuggets superstar delivered one of the wildest stat lines the league has ever seen, pouring in 56 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and handing out 15 assists in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The performance instantly entered NBA holiday lore and reignited the conversation around who sits at the top of the sport.
That conversation has lingered all season. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander coming off an MVP and Finals run last year, debate swirled about whether Jokic still owned the crown. Through the first stretch of the 2025–26 campaign, the Nuggets center has answered without hesitation, and his explanation for the sustained dominance surprised many.
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A Mental Shift That Changed Everything
Jokic recently revealed that one of the biggest upgrades to his game had nothing to do with footwork, conditioning, or film study, Yahoo reports. Instead, it came from a conscious decision to limit how much energy he spends engaging with referees.
“Stopping talking to the referees was the biggest thing for me,” Jokic said. “I’m still going to talk to them, but I’m not going to lose my temper or energy over something I know isn’t going to change.”
The approach marked a noticeable shift from earlier seasons, when frustration occasionally spilled over during games. This year, Jokic has focused on conserving that emotional bandwidth for possessions that matter. The results speak loudly. Through 30 games, he has averaged 29.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 11.0 assists while controlling games with his usual blend of patience and precision.
His Christmas Day masterpiece felt like the peak of that mindset so far. Jokic scored 18 points in overtime alone, pushing his night into rare historical territory and cementing himself as the betting favorite in the MVP race. More importantly, he never appeared rattled, even as the game tightened and the stakes rose.
Letting the Game Do the Talking
Jokic hinted earlier in the season that he was experimenting with a calmer approach toward officiating, but only recently acknowledged how much it helped him mentally, per the Denver Post.
“That’s my new thing this year,” he said. “I’m not gonna get stressed or yell at the refs. I’m just gonna try to comport my energy to the basketball place.”
According to Jokic, the benefits show up immediately on the floor. “I feel so much better out there. I don’t even think about them. It’s great,” he added.
That does not mean complete silence. Jokic still signals Nuggets coach David Adelman when he believes a coach’s challenge could lead to a productive outcome. If a clear path exists to correct a call, he sees value in it. Outside of those moments, he prefers to play through contact and let possessions resolve themselves.
Adelman joked that the emotional shift has simply redistributed responsibility. “He’s in a better mood, and I’m in a worse mood,” the coach said, laughing. Adelman later added that he trusts Jokic’s instincts, especially if the approach helps him stay in a stronger mental state over the grind of a season.
The groundwork for this change actually started before the season tipped off. During training camp, Jokic spent extended time talking with referees brought in to officiate a Nuggets scrimmage. For him, that setting provided clarity without the heat of competition.
“I think that was a perfect moment for me to talk with them,” Jokic explained. “I don’t need to yell at them. When the season started, it really helped me focus on the game.”
For the rest of the league, the message is simple. A calmer Jokic might be the most dangerous version yet.
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