Nikola Jokic’s eyes gleamed brighter than usual when the next question was about basketball.

In the middle of a week of shock and loss, the sport that Jokic is frequently accused of trivializing has provided a respite and source of joy. In his first interview since Dejan Milojevic’s sudden death at the age of 46 last week, he did not speak much about his former coach. However, when the conversation turned to the Nuggets’ exciting 114-109 victory over the Pacers, Jokic — a superstar known for his occasionally caustic relations with the media — emotionally analyzed the game.

That may have been the most appropriate way to honor his mentor.

They developed a delicate friendship that was based on their shared love of basketball.

“I don’t want to make a circus out of it,” Jokic said Tuesday, admitting that the past week has been difficult for him. “My entire family was socialized.” “I adore his whole family.”

Jokic’s wife and daughter accompanied him on the road to Denver’s victory over Washington on Sunday, during which he scored a season-high 42 points on 15 of 20 shooting. It was the first time they had the chance to come together since the sad news that shocked the NBA and the global basketball community. Milojevic, the Warriors’ assistant coach, died the next day after having a heart attack at a team breakfast on Tuesday.

Michael Malone: Steve Kerr delivered a message for Nikola Jokic from Dejan Milojevic.

Jokic collaborated with Milojevic at Serbian club Mega Basket before and after the Nuggets drafted him in 2014. Under Milojevic, the center won the Adriatic League MVP title.

In the years since, he’s outperformed even the most optimistic forecasts for an NBA second-round pick, winning two league MVP titles and an NBA Finals MVP. Despite all of his accolades, Jokic’s last three games may have been his best and most important.

He had 34 points in the Nuggets’ historic victory over Boston, including two clutch baskets that helped stop the Celtics’ 27-game, 10-month home winning streak. In Washington, DC, opposing fans screamed “M-V-P” and greeted him with resounding ovation.

He repeated the feat on Tuesday, recording a 31-point triple-double in Indiana, including a remarkable 3-pointer. The shot clock buzzer-beater followed Jokic’s scorching two-man game with Jamal Murray, giving the Nuggets a 114-109 advantage with 4.7 seconds left. Orlando blitzed Murray off Jokic’s ball screen earlier this month, when Denver had the final chance in a one-possession game. The play went awry that time.

“I think we just keep evolving our reads and counters,” Murray said. “It’s wonderful to have a partner to play with that is selfless. That is the greatest way I can express it. He’s just playing the game; whatever happens, happens. Many NBA teams lack this. I feel myself privileged to be here, playing with him, and having spent my entire career playing for someone like him.

Nikola Jokic leads the Nuggets to an emotional victory over the East-leading Celtics after receiving a heartfelt message from his late mentor, Dejan Milojevic, conveyed to him posthumously following the Warriors assistant coach’s deadly heart

In Denver’s three straight road victories, the duo has averaged 64 points, 19.3 rebounds, and 15.3 assists while shooting 58.1% from the field and 43.8% from three.

“We are shooting.””It’s easier to make shots,” Jokic explained. “Whoever that is. You know, myself or somebody else? When you make shots as a team, everyone gains confidence and wants to shoot when the opportunity arises. And that is pretty difficult to guard.”

In road environments like Boston and Indianapolis, where two high-powered offenses thrive, Jokic’s confidence translated into championship-caliber defense. The Celtics have the highest home offensive rating in the NBA. They scored 100 points against Denver, which is their lowest total at TD Garden this season. The Pacers are close behind, with the second-best home offense. The Nuggets limited them to 109 points, their third-lowest home total.

Indiana has the NBA’s most accurate name. However, Denver has surpassed the Pacers twice in as many weeks. The fast break scores were 18-4 this time, devastating Pascal Siakam’s home debut.

“The first half was terrible. Jokic laughed and stated, “The second half was just an effort not to celebrate.” “When you score, rush back.” Set up our defense. I believe that our defense is fairly effective.”

As he spoke in the visiting locker room at Bainbridge Fieldhouse late Tuesday, four different Nuggets players had just pulled out their phones to watch the end of another game on NBA League Pass. It had personal implications. The Thunder escaped an upset over Portland. The night was over, and the Western Conference standings had settled into a comfortable three-way tie at the top. Oklahoma City, Denver, and Minneapolis. Jokic was almost the only player who did not watch from his phone.

“It’s too early for now. “I mean, I’d watch a game, but not the standings,” he stated.

Whether he cares, Denver has caught up to the other two teams, thanks in large part to Jokic’s effective dominance over the last three road games.

As he led the Nuggets to first place, he accepted a new responsibility: to honor his teacher.

“I love him,” Jokic said in his brief remarks on Milojevic. Saying that was enough for an athlete who is so private and determined to keep his emotions secret.