Nikola Jokić’s championship dreams came crashing down in the most unexpected way imaginable. The three-time NBA MVP and Serbia walked into the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket tournament as heavy favorites, with fans already envisioning a showdown with Greece in the later rounds.
Instead, they found themselves on the wrong end of the tournament’s biggest shock, falling 86-92 to Finland in the round of 16.
How Did Finland Pull Off the Upset Against Serbia?
The loss sent shockwaves through the basketball world. Serbia had entered the knockout stage with legitimate championship aspirations, only to watch those hopes evaporate against a Finnish team that nobody saw coming. Lauri Markkanen, the Utah Jazz star, proved to be the difference-maker for Finland, leading his squad with a team-leading 29 points that carried them straight into the quarterfinals.
The defeat marked Finland’s first victory over Serbia since 2009, making the upset even more stunning. While Jokić did his part with 33 points and Nikola Jović added 20, it wasn’t enough to overcome Finland’s relentless effort and physical play.
Following the devastating loss, Miami Heat’s Nikola Jović didn’t make excuses. He kept it brutally honest about his performance, admitting to the media that preparation wasn’t the issue.
“I just wasn’t ready to play from the jump,” Jović said.
Jokić echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that Serbia simply couldn’t match Finland’s intensity when it mattered most. Despite all their preparation and film study, the execution fell short.
Jokić said: “We knew what they were doing, we prepared well, we watched film, still they managed to just be better and more physical than us.”
Serbian head coach Svetislav Pešić identified the specific areas where his team failed to execute. The coach pointed to Finland’s dominance on the offensive glass as the turning point that shifted momentum permanently.
“We didn’t find a solution for their offensive rebounding, and that’s an important part of the game. We lost even though Finland shot only 41 percent, but they scored 92 points. That illustrates the importance of offensive rebounding. It also gave them confidence,” Pešić said.
What Are Basketball Fans Saying About Nikola Jokić’s Early Exit?
The basketball community erupted with reactions ranging from heartbreak to relief. Many fans expressed genuine sympathy for Jokić, who has faced several disappointing exits on the international stage.
I feel so bad for Jokic this is heartbreaking 💔
— Curry Flurry 😈 (@babyfacedubs) September 6, 2025
“I feel so bad for Jokic this is heartbreaking,” one fan wrote.
“This is a terrible experience for him fr,” a concerned fan said.
“Truly unbelievable,” one fan added.
Truly unbelievable
— Ox_Mhenzee (@Mhenzee) September 6, 2025
However, some Denver Nuggets supporters found a silver lining in the early elimination. With the 2025-26 NBA season approaching, these fans viewed the loss as protection for their franchise cornerstone.
“Good!! Now he can prepare for the NBA season and avoid getting injured,” one fan wrote.
“The sigh of relief in Denver,” another user said.
Others focused on Jokić’s individual performance despite the team’s failure. One user, complimenting the Serbian star’s form, wrote: “Despite the loss man!!! He’s back!”
Nikola Jokić shattered after the historic elimination by the underdog Finland pic.twitter.com/mLpVEPIawL
— SLO HOOPS FAN 🇸🇮 (@SloHoopsFan) September 7, 2025
The defeat also sparked debates about Jokić’s legacy on the international stage. Some fans questioned whether the Denver Nuggets star can translate his NBA dominance to international success, pointing to a string of disappointing tournament exits. Critics even labeled him as ‘overrated,’ expecting better results from someone with three NBA MVP awards.
Meanwhile, Markkanen earned widespread praise for his clutch performance and leadership in guiding Finland to their historic victory. His 29-point effort proved that individual brilliance can still overcome superior talent when executed with precision.
The tournament continues with teams like Germany and Turkey still in contention, while Greece and Slovenia prepare for their upcoming matchups against Israel and Italy, respectively. For Serbia and Jokić, the focus now shifts to regrouping and preparing for another shot at international glory in future competitions.
