Playing alongside Nikola Jokic has helped Nikola Jovic’s growth

Nikola Jovic recently iterated that he has learned a lot from playing alongside multi-time league MVP Nikola Jokic in Euro Basket this summer.
(Photo via Getty Images)

As one of the most underrated players on the Miami Heat roster, Nikola Jovic is expected to have a crucial role this upcoming 2025-26 season.

The 22 years old 6-foot-10 forward had his previous season in Miami limited to just 46 games played due to injury. He was thrown right back into the fire in the Heat’s short-lived playoff appearance, and made an instant impact off coach Erik Spoelstra’s bench in his postseason outings.

In the final game of the team’s first round sweep at the hands of the top seed Cleveland Cavaliers, Jovic posted 24 points. He was virtually the only lone bright spot in what was an abysmal performance from the Heat on their home floor to end their season.

But for this new campaign, Jovic will be even more utilized. He is the only player height wise capable of rotating with Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware in the frontcourt, due to Miami’s lack of big man depth.

Jovic is assuredly a much more effective power forward, but there could be times where he plays at center in the event that Adebayo or Ware get hurt or get into foul trouble. Regardless, he is expected to be a heavy part of the rotation.

Nikola Jovic averaged 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 46% shooting and 37% from 3-point range last season.

Luckily for the Heat, Jovic has remained extremely active this offseason while playing in the Euro Basket. And he has looked impressive.

He averaged 11.8 points in group play and has had some encouraging outings along the way, including a recent 18-point statline against Portugal.

Additionally, Jovic credited his impact to playing next to multi-time MVP Nikola Jokic in their lineup.

Nikola Jovic on playing alongside Nikola Jokic in the @EuroBasket this summer:

“I learned a lot from him, offensively and defensively. He’s the best player in the world… if you’re in the right spot, he’ll find you. It’s really easy to play with him.”

(h/t @WadexFlash) 🔥 pic.twitter.com/a380yRk9nR

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) September 2, 2025

Jovic has a lot of untapped talent and potential, especially as a playmaker. And who better to learn how to sharpen some elite playmaking skills than from Jokic? It’s been evident that Jovic is at his best with the ball in his hands, either attacking downhill ot creating for himself and others.

He is capable of pushing tempo in transition to generate easy offense, along with spreading the floor as an outside shooter. Eyes will surely be on Jovic and his continued growth from the start of this new season— and he could emerge as a legitimate X-factor for this Heat team.

Goran Dragic recently iterated in an interview with Brendan Tobin that he is expecting “big things” out of Niko going into the new year for the Heat.

Of course, Dragic would often come back as a much improved Heat player himself back in the day after participating in Euro play in the offseason.

The best is still far from Jovic at this point of his career. But perhaps a busy offseason of working on his skills can have him return from the Euro Basket as a real ceiling raiser for Spoelstra in Miami.

Playing alongside Nikola Jokic has helped Nikola Jovic’s growth

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