With the NBA season approaching, Nikola Jokic is still making time for his first passion.

During this week’s Nuggets practice, Jokic glanced intently at his phone and was pressed for details by teammate Jamal Murray.

“I am scouting horses,” Jokic explained.

When Murray asked Jokic, who grew up around horse stables and horse races in Serbia, he almost couldn’t keep track of how many horses he has.

“Right now, like seven, eight, ten, twelve,” Jokic explained.

After eating on the sidelines during the second half of a Lakers game, it’s the latest evidence of how NBA stars treat the preseason.

Since leading the Nuggets to an NBA championship in June, Jokic’s distinct perspective has been front and center.

The NBA Finals MVP did not mention flashy or grandiose celebrations in the postgame interview following the clinching win against the Heat.

“The job is done, and we can go home now,” Jokic remarked.

Jokic joked that he would ask Nuggets CEO Josh Kroenke to lend him the team plane so that he could travel to Serbia on time following the celebration in Denver.

Jokic returned to his Serbian homeland to attend horse races less than a week after winning the NBA championship.

He also brought some good fortune with him.

Brenno Laumar, Jokic’s top horse, won the largest race of the day on Aug. 13 in Sombor, with Aaron Gordon in attendance.

Jokic was seen dancing with a huge piece of hardware attached to his hip in a video posted to X.

Jokic’s passion for horse racing began as a child.

“I just enjoy being around them and seeing all of their different characteristics,” Jokic explained to The Athletic. “You can see when they figure it out that they are basically like us.” They are sprinters and athletes. They are amazing beings.”

His passion for basketball was instilled in him by his two elder brothers, who finally motivated Jokic to take the floor.

However, in his adolescence, he abandoned basketball in favor of horse racing.

“I just fell in love with horses and their beauty and elegance,” he explained to SLAM magazine. “It was almost like a hobby for me.” I didn’t take it seriously, and I didn’t take basketball seriously either. I was caught between the two.”