Nikola Jokic was seen enjoying horse racing back home after winning the bronze medal

Nikola Jokic once again proved he is one of the world’s best basketball players in the 2024 Paris Olympics. “The Joker” led Serbia to a bronze medal finish but almost engineered a massive upset, losing by only four points against the eventual gold medalist, Team USA, in the semifinal. However, nothing-- not even basketball-- can come between the Denver Nuggets center and his true love: horse racing.

In a video released by Arena Sport TV, Jokic was already spotted enjoying a horse racing event in his hometown of Sombor. It takes over two hours by plane from Paris to Sombor, so it's certainly doable. Additionally, the 2023 NBA Finals MVP ordered a can of Heineken beer and went off to the stands to enjoy the horse show.

Joker’s unique lifestyle

The 6-foot-11 Serbian is not a garden-variety basketball player. He broke the mold of what a hoops superstar should be, a center with the handles of a point guard and a vision like no other.

Unsurprisingly, that’s also how he is off the court. Jokic’s affinity for horses and horse racing is well-known in basketball circles. After winning the 2023 NBA Finals, Jokic was ready to skip the party and parade in Denver to be with his horses by the weekend.

“I’m gonna ask (Nuggets president/governor) Josh (Kroenke) to get me a plane,” joked the three-time NBA MVP.

A couple of months later, the Serbian was spotted smiling from ear to ear after his horse won the biggest race in his hometown. Nuggets teammate Aaron Gordon was hanging out with him in the bleachers.

Related: "You could just feel it, the lack of respect" - Alonzo Mourning on the tense environment in the gold medal game against France in the 2000 Olympics

Basketball Savant

The Joker may love spending time with racehorses, but make no mistake, basketball is where he belongs. The 29-year-old Serbian is firmly entrenched in the upper echelon of Olympic performers, becoming the first player to lead the entire tournament in points, rebounds, and assists .

In the bronze medal game, Jokic dominated Germany to the tune of 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. The medal is the country’s first since earning silver in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. In addition, his triple-double performance is only the fifth in Olympic history.

Whether on the horse racing track or the basketball court, it’s just another day in the office for Nikola, and the guy never fails to show up.

Related: "We didn't get respect; not as a basketball nation, but as a team" - Serbian coach is furious as his stars combined for only five free-throws