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- Balkan Ballers - The Weekly Recap of NBA Stars From The Ex Yugoslavia
Balkan Ballers - The Weekly Recap of NBA Stars From The Ex Yugoslavia
You know Yugoslavia with Luka and Jokic would beat Team USA by 20

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🃏 Joker’s Corner: Nikola Jokić Watch 🎭🔥
JOKIC COMING HOME 🃏🏀
The big fella is (almost) back!
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is expected to return sometime during the Nuggets' 5-game homestand, per Coach Mike Malone. 🙌
“He’s close. Once we’re back in Denver, we’ll see how he’s feeling. It’d be huge to get the starting five back on the floor together.” 💪
Don’t expect him on the floor against the Bulls Monday night — but the Joker is lurking. 👀
🩼 Jokic’s been out with a left ankle impingement and was also dealing with a right elbow bruise after a March 10 loss to OKC. Still, he was logging nearly 40 minutes a night in March, doing it all while banged up. 😤
Despite the time off, his numbers are still insane:
29.1 PPG | 10.3 APG | |12.8 RBG Triple-double average 🔥
It’s him or Shai G-A for MVP💎
Luka Magic Weekly Recap 🏀✨
The LakeShow is a whole lot more magical with Luka Dončić rocking purple & gold - and this week, he reminded the league exactly why. LA went 2-1, with Luka stuffing the stat sheet and dazzling at every stop.
🗓️ Sun 3/23 — vs CHI ❌ L 146-115
Tough loss to the Bulls, and Luka couldn’t save the day this time:
📊 34 PTS | 8 REB | 6 AST | 7 TO
🎯 55.6% FG | 61.5% 3PT | 75.0% FT
He was efficient shooting the ball, but those 7 turnovers stung — not his cleanest night, and the Lakers paid for it.
🗓️ Thu 3/20 — vs DEN ✅ W 120-108
Statement win over Jokic’s crew!
📊 31 PTS | 8 REB | 7 AST | 2 STL
🔥 Big-time buckets and momentum-shifting plays.
Luka outshined the defending champs — and made it look casual.
🗓️ Tue 3/18 — vs SA ✅ W 125-109
Vintage point-god performance:
📊 21 PTS | 9 REB | 14 AST | 3 STL
🚫 Cold shooting night, but he orchestrated everything beautifully.
Lakers dominated and Luka pulled every string.
🪄 Weekly Averages in Gold & Glam:
29.8 PTS | 9.0 REB | 8.8 AST | 1.5 STL
The numbers are loud. The magic? Louder.
Luka’s in LA now — and Hollywood’s got a new headliner. 🎬💫
🦬 Vooch Beasts Out West
Nikola Vucevic quietly dominated on the Bulls’ road trip, helping power Chicago to a 3-1 record with steady boards, efficient shooting, and veteran poise. While DeRozan and White grabbed headlines, Vooch did the dirty work — and did it well. 💪
🗓️ Sun 3/23 — @ LAL ✅ W 146-115
📊 12 PTS | 12 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK
🎯 50% FG | 66.7% 3PT
Double-double in 26 minutes — classic lowkey Vooch.
🗓️ Fri 3/21 — @ SAC ✅ W 128-116
📊 24 PTS | 14 REB | 8 AST
🔥 64.3% FG | 80% from deep | 100% FT
Near triple-double! A clinic in spacing, passing, and pounding the glass.
🗓️ Thu 3/20 — @ PHX ❌ L 127-121
📊 24 PTS | 6 REB | 2 AST | 3 BLK
💥 Efficient scoring and rim protection — kept the Bulls in it.
🗓️ Tue 3/18 — @ UTAH ✅ W 111-97
📊 10 PTS | 10 REB | 4 AST
📉 Only 20% FG, but made up for it with hustle and effort.
📈 Vooch Weekly Averages:
17.5 PTS | 10.5 REB | 4.75 AST | 1.25 STL | 1.25 BLK
57.1% FG | 57.1% 3PT | 50% FT
Vooch was a rock all week — anchoring the paint, stretching the floor, and dishing dimes. With performances like this, he’s proving to be the Bulls’ quiet MVP of the road trip. 🧱📊
🚀 Bogdan Bombing Report 🎯
Bogdan Bogdanović lit it up this week — smooth, efficient, and deadly from deep.
🗓️ Sat 3/22 vs MEM — W 128-108
📊 16 PTS | 5 AST | 3 REB | 80% 3PT
Rained fire from three — classic Bogey burst.
🗓️ Wed 3/19 vs CLE — W 132-119
📊 20 PTS | 7 AST | 4 REB | 100% FG
Did. Not. Miss. Absolute sniper mode.
🎯 Weekly Avg: 18 PTS | 6 AST | 84% FG | 89% 3PT
Efficient. Lethal. Automatic.
🦾 Zubac Double-Double Download
Ivica Zubac owned the paint all week — no nonsense, just big man business.
🗓️ Sat 3/22 vs MEM — W 128-108
📊 17 PTS | 10 REB | 2 BLK
Did the dirty work and cleaned the glass.
🗓️ Wed 3/19 vs CLE — W 132-119
📊 28 PTS | 20 REB | 72% FG
Monster night — unstoppable on both ends.
📈 Weekly Avg: 22.5 PTS | 15 REB | 65% FG
Big Z was a force.
Throwback Corner 🎥 TONI KUKOČ COOKS IN THE FINALS 🔥🇭🇷
30 POINTS. Big-time buckets. Big-time moment.
Toni Kukoč took over in Game 5 of the '98 NBA Finals vs the Utah Jazz, dropping a smooth 30-piece with 6 boards to push the Bulls one step closer to title No. 6. 🐂💍
Luka's production is crazy
— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index)
10:00 PM • Mar 23, 2025


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