Nikola Jokić: Serbia's Olympic Loss to USA Was 'Probably' Biggest Defeat of My Career

Nikola Jokić and the Serbia national team had a lot to celebrate after winning bronze in the 2024 Summer Olympics, but falling one win short of the gold medal game was a tough blow to take.

"It was a good match. Probably the biggest defeat of my career," Jokić said of Serbia's semifinal loss to the United States, per Eurohoops. "[We had a] big chance. In the end, they beat us. People from the stands will probably see it as a normal defeat, but for those who played, it was certainly one of the toughest defeats in our careers."

Serbia led 76-63 heading into the fourth quarter against the United States and it held onto a slim two-point advantage inside the final three minutes. But Stephen Curry put the U.S. ahead on a three-pointer with 2:24 remaining and that was pretty much that.

It was a heartbreaking way for the Serbians to lose and the nature of international basketball added to the misery. Jokić and his teammates have to wait another four years for a crack at Olympic gold.

By that point, the three-time NBA MVP will be 33. Bogdan Bogdanović, who averaged 18.3 points in the Paris Games, will be 35 as well. Once the 2028 Summer Olympics roll around, the gap between Serbia and the United States might have widened as the former's best players exit their athletic primes. With Jokić in particular, it could be a long time before Serbia produces such a generational talent again.

It's no wonder the six-time All-Star looks back on this summer in such a meaningful context.