Nikola Jokic’s impactful performance against the Boston Celtics on Thursday garnered widespread praise and a hilarious characterization from Shaquille O’Neal.
Jokic poured in a triple double to the tune of 32 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists as the Nuggets beat the Celtics 115-109. It marked his 20th of the year and eighth with 30 points.
His impressive feat got love from those who witnessed it. O’Neal added flavorful wordplay to the way in which he dominated from start to finish.
Shaq compares Nikola Jokic’s defenders to lasagna
The Hall-of-Fame NBA center commentated on Jokic’s highlights during Inside the NBA’s halftime show.
Known for comparing inept defenders to “barbecue chicken,” O’Neal came up with a new food reference for the Celtics bigs who failed to hold the two-time league MVP down, as one Jokic fan page reshared on X:
“Latvian lasagna. Latvian lasagna. He can’t guard that man, Chuck,” O’Neal said of the 240-pound Kristaps Porzingis.
Shaq talks Jokic at halftime of Boston/Denver. "Nobody can guard the Joker." pic.twitter.com/wfqPE3HhUD
— n i k o l a e s t h e t i c (@nikolaesthetic) March 8, 2024
O’Neal’s adulation was the most captivating in a long list of praise dished out to the Serbian 7-footer.
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Porzingis told NBC Sports Boston following the Celtics’ loss that the 2024 All-Star was “in his bag,” and there was nothing they could do about it, as Noa Dalzell shared on X:
Kristaps Porzingis on Nikola Jokic: "He was definitely in his bag tonight. He's just an incredible basketball player. Some things I learned from him today actually. He's just so smart, so crafty… really, really, really hard to stop."(Via @NBCSCeltics) pic.twitter.com/FkqGGO7Lcd
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) March 8, 2024
To top it off, NBA aficionados made several comical references highlighting Jokic manhandling Boston’s defense:
Nikola Jokic to Aaron Gordon when he sees a double team pic.twitter.com/alsYjLp0LA
— Joe | NBA Memes (@tatumsruffles) March 8, 2024
Jaylen green guarding nikola jokic https://t.co/LlYm9Se0gg pic.twitter.com/pJVBpzLatb
— The LA Titan (@AOT_disicple) March 8, 2024
The Kia NBA MVP Ladder favorite added to an already noteworthy body of work with another masterpiece against the No. 1 overall seed in the Association.
The basketball world gave him his flowers for it.
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