Nikola Jokić, the reigning NBA MVP and one of the most composed superstars in the league, isn’t known for showing much emotion on the court. But even “The Joker” has his limits. That limit appeared to be reached during a recent game when he was hit with a rare and controversial double-dribble call—one that left him visibly frustrated and fans scratching their heads.
The moment happened in the third quarter of a close, high-stakes matchup. Jokić had just secured a defensive rebound and began bringing the ball up the court himself, something he does routinely as a point-center. He crossed half-court and made a slick behind-the-back move to shake his defender before momentarily losing control of the ball. He quickly recovered, kept dribbling, and dished it off—only to hear a whistle blow behind him. The call? Double-dribble.
The look on Jokić’s face said it all. He turned to the referee with a stunned expression, threw his arms up in disbelief, and muttered something under his breath as the crowd booed in confusion. Even the broadcasters were caught off guard. “You rarely see that called, especially on Jokić,” one announcer remarked. “That’s the kind of move he makes all the time.”
Replays seemed to support Jokić’s case. While he did briefly lose the ball, it appeared to be a clean fumble—a momentary mishandle rather than an intentional stop-and-restart in dribbling. Most times, referees let that slide, especially when it happens in transition. But not this time. The official, standing near midcourt, made the call decisively, and there was no going back.
Jokić didn’t get a technical foul or escalate the situation—he’s too savvy and experienced for that—but he made it clear he didn’t agree with the decision. For the next few possessions, he played with an extra edge, battling for position, passing with laser precision, and scoring with purpose. If the call fired him up, it showed. He finished the night with another impressive stat line, flirting with a triple-double and helping the Nuggets stay within striking distance.
Still, the moment lingered after the game. Reporters asked Jokić about it during the postgame press conference. He gave a typically understated answer: “I thought it wasn’t a double-dribble. I just lost the ball for a second. But it is what it is. We move on.” But even as he smiled, there was a hint of irritation behind his calm demeanor. You don’t see that call every day, and especially not against one of the league’s most skilled and intelligent players.
Social media, of course, had a field day. Clips of the play were shared widely, with fans debating whether the refs got it right. Memes of Jokić’s reaction flooded timelines, with many joking, “Even the Joker can’t laugh this one off.”
It was a rare emotional moment from the usually unflappable big man—and it reminded everyone that even superstars can be left shaking their heads by the whistle. 😅
Want a breakdown of how NBA refs interpret that rule differently depending on the situation?
