• Balkan Ballers
  • Posts
  • 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

In partnership with

Feeling Off Lately? Try One Week of Therapy, Free

Life can be overwhelming, but getting support shouldn’t be. This May for Mental Health Awareness Month, BetterHelp is offering one week of therapy completely free, so you can experience what real support feels like—no cost, no pressure.

You’ll be matched with a licensed therapist in as little as 24 hours, and connect on your schedule—by phone, video, or chat. With 35,000+ professionals, there’s someone for you. 94% of BetterHelp users report feeling better after starting therapy, and now you can try it yourself, risk-free.

🃏 Joker’s Corner: Nikola Jokić Watch 🎭🔥

THE BIG MAN IS BACK. 👑🎯

After sitting out with an ankle impingement + elbow bruise, Jokić returned to the hardwood this week—and looked like he’d never left!

Thu 3/27 vs MIL:
🟣 39 PTS | 10 AST | 10 REB | 64% FG
Vintage Joker. Triple-double. Win. 😤

And this incredible pass!

Sat 3/29 vs UTAH:
🟣 27 PTS | 14 REB | 6 AST | 44.4% FG
Nuggets win by 36. Jokic goes beast mode again.

🃏 Jokic’s Weekly Averages:
35.0 MIN | 54.2% FG | 35.0% 3PT | 70.2% FT | 12.0 REB | 8.0 AST | 0.0 STL | 2.0 BLK | 1.0 TO | 3.0 PF | 33.0 PTS

MVP numbers. Every. Single. Night. 🏆🔥

📊 Season Stats:
29.1 PPG | 12.8 RBG | 10.2 APG
He’s still averaging a triple-double and dragging Denver up the standings.

💎 MVP Race?
It’s Jokić vs Shai G-A—and the Joker’s reminding everyone who’s been holding the crown.

Welcome back, Joker. 🃏💪

🎩 Luka Magic Weekly Recap 💫

Luka keeps turning the hardwood into his personal stage, and this week, the spotlight never left him.

The Lakers went 2-3 during a tough five-game stretch, but through every twist and turn, Luka dazzled — carrying LA with elite shotmaking, relentless playmaking, and his signature flair. 🎭💜💛

And here’s the plot twist 🎥: LeBron James is back. The King has returned to the lineup — but this time, he’s playing a different role. Rather than reclaim centre stage, LeBron seems content to pass the crown (or at least the spotlight), allowing Luka to run the show.

🗓️ Tue 3/25 — @ ORL ❌ L 118-106
Tough road loss in Orlando 🪄:
📊 32 PTS | 7 REB | 7 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO
🎯 39.1% FG | 40.0% 3PT | 90.9% FT
Luka kept the Lakers in it with clutch free-throw shooting 🧊🏀, but the Magic’s defense threw him off rhythm.

🗓️ Thu 3/27 — @ IND ✅ W 120-119
A nail-biter win against the Pacers 🔔:
📊 34 PTS | 7 REB | 7 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO
🎯 52.4% FG | 60.0% 3PT | 85.7% FT
Luka was a sniper from deep 🎯 and clutch down the stretch ⏳, lifting LA to a gritty road dub. That 60% from three? Pure magic. ✨

🗓️ Fri 3/28 — @ CHI ❌ L 119-117
Heartbreaker in Chicago 💔:
📊 25 PTS | 10 REB | 8 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO
🎯 36.4% FG | 33.3% 3PT | 83.3% FT
Near triple-double 💪, a double-digit rebound night 💥, and only 1 turnover

🗓️ Sun 3/30 — @ MEM ✅ W 134-127
Capped the week with a thriller in Memphis 🎸:
📊 29 PTS | 8 REB | 9 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO
🎯 44.4% FG | 22.2% 3PT | 91.7% FT
Luka flirted with a triple-double 💃 and iced the game from the line 🧊

Plus he and Lebron gave us this iconic fast break pass for the slam!

🌟 Weekly Averages in Gold & Glam:
30.8 PTS | 8.0 REB | 7.4 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.4 BLK | 3.4 TO
45.6% FG | 46.2% 3PT | 86.7% FT

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.

🦬 Vooch Beasts Out West

Nikola Vucevic stayed steady and strong this week, anchoring the Bulls’ frontcourt with scoring touch, smart passing, and his usual glass-cleaning grind. While others grabbed headlines, Vooch quietly did the work that wins games. 💪

🗓️ Tue 3/25 @ DEN ✅ W 129-119
📊 13 PTS | 8 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL
🎯 41.7% FG | 25% 3PT | 100% FT

🗓️ Fri 3/28 vs LAL ✅ W 119-117
📊 14 PTS | 8 REB | 2 AST | 2 BLK
🎯 60.0% FG | 33.3% 3PT | 50% FT

🗓️ Sun 3/30 vs DAL ❌ L 120-119
📊 25 PTS | 9 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL
🎯 50.0% FG | 40.0% 3PT | 83.3% FT


Vooch was heavily involved down the stretch against the Lakers — setting screens, dishing assists and grabbing boards — and he was the first teammate to embrace Josh Giddey after he sank the game-winner at the buzzer vs the Lakers in that crazy finish 🎯

🚨 Bogdan Bombing Report 🎯

A quiet week for Bogdan Bogdanović, but still steady in the rotation.

🗓️ Mon 3/31 @ CLE ❌ L 127-122
📊 16 PTS | 4 REB | 3 AST | 54.5% FG | 50% 3PT

🗓️ Sat 3/29 @ BKN ✅ W 132-100
📊 8 PTS | 6 REB | 9 AST | 30% FG

🗓️ Thu 3/27 @ NYK ✅ W 126-113
📊 4 PTS | 2 AST | 18 MIN

🗓️ Mon 3/24 vs OKC ❌ L 103-101
📊 2 PTS | 3 REB | 3 AST | 16.7% FG

📉 Weekly Avg: 7.5 PTS | 3.3 REB | 4.3 AST
Not his loudest stretch — but Bogey’s still contributing on both ends. Stay ready. 💪

🦾 Zubac Double-Double Download

Ivica Zubac stayed steady in the trenches this week — bringing boards, blocks, and bruiser energy in every matchup.

🗓️ Mon 3/31 @ CLE ❌ L 127-122
📊 14 PTS | 13 REB | 2 BLK | 50% FG

🗓️ Sat 3/29 @ BKN ✅ W 132-100
📊 21 PTS | 12 REB | 1 BLK | 100% FG

🗓️ Thu 3/27 @ NYK ✅ W 126-113
📊 18 PTS | 10 REB | 2 BLK | 46.7% FG

🗓️ Mon 3/24 vs OKC ❌ L 103-101
📊 15 PTS | 11 REB | 2 BLK | 40% FG

📈 Weekly Avg:
17.0 PTS | 11.5 REB | 1.75 BLK | 59.2% FG

Big Z delivered 4 straight double-doubles — classic Zubac consistency.
No flash. Just fundamentals. 🧱💪

📼 Throwback Corner: Vlade Divac Edition 🐐🏀

In his prime, Vlade Divac was the glue guy every great team needs — and this night back in 1994, he did it all for the Lakers.

🟣 28 PTS | 13 REB | 5 AST

Scoring in the post, cleaning the glass, and dishing dimes like a point centre — Vlade showed why he was one of the most skilled big men of his era.
Smooth footwork, high IQ, and that signature flair 🇷🇸🔥

A true Laker legend. 💜💛

📱 Social Media Highlights

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.