Mexico (AFP) – Mexico received Serbian basketball player Nikola Jokic, three-time NBA MVP, with ovations during practice prior to Saturday's international duel between the Denver Nuggets and the Indiana Pacers.

First modification: 06/11/2026 - 23:13

"Number one!" the children shouted from the stands of the Mexico City Arena, where game number 16 of the NBA regular season will be played on Mexican territory on Saturday.

The game between Jokic's Nuggets and the Pacers will be the 35th in Mexico if exhibition games since 1992 are counted.

"We have been to Abu Dhabi (2024) and London (2017). Now we are in Mexico City and I think it is fantastic for the game and for the fans who can come to watch a game," Jokic said at a press conference.

On Thursday, NBA legends considered that the best basketball player today is Jokic, who appreciated the compliment but was modest. "The league has a lot of talent," he said.

The 2,240 meters of altitude in Mexico City are an advantage for the Nuggets, who play at home at 1,609 meters. The Pacers are based at about 200 meters above sea level.

"When teams visit us in Denver, they need a couple of quarters to get going," the "Joker" exemplified.

"You have to deal with the altitude," but "it's going to be a very fun game," said Pacers star Pascal Siakam from Cameroon.

Siakam stands up for Indiana

For Indiana, Cameroonian power forward Siakam will be the figure to follow due to the absence of star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is recovering from a left thigh injury.

Throughout the year, the Pacers have suffered a rash of injuries, including guard T. J. McConnell's right thigh and guard Ben Sheppard's left knee.

"There are a lot of injuries, the truth is that it has been hard for us," Siakam said. "We need to get players back and get them fit."

The Cameroonian defined the Denver Nuggets as "a very good team" and recalled that in 2023 they became NBA champions playing "at the highest level."

"Obviously they have Jokic and great teammates," said the Cameroonian, one of Indiana's leaders in points per game (21.3) and rebounds per game (7.1).

© 2026 AFP

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