By Aris Barkas / info@eurohoops.net
The showdown between NBA stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic is set to take place before the 2024 Paris Olympics.
As confirmed by Eurohoops, the Serbian national team Jokic will play against Greece and Antetokounmpo in their last preparatory game, scheduled for July 22nd.
Serbia will participate in the Olympic tournament as the runner-up from the 2023 FIBA World Cup, while Greece secured their spot in France by winning the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus.
In preparation for the upcoming Olympics, Serbia defeated France in Lyon and is scheduled to play Australia (July 16), the USA in Abu Dhabi (July 17), and Japan in Belgrade (July 21) before facing the Greek national team.
After winning the OQT and defeating the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Slovenia, and Croatia, Greece will face Puerto Rico (July 16) before their final preparatory match in Belgrade. Giannis, Nick Calathes, Giannoulis Larentzakis, and Kostas Antetokounmpo will miss the game against Puerto Rico but are expected to return for the match against Serbia.
Therefore, all is set for the clash of the NBA MVPs, as three-time winner Nikola Jokic will host two-time honoree Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The two have met many times in the NBA but also faced each other two years ago while wearing their national team jerseys, with Serbia defeating Greece 100-94 in overtime during the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers. In that epic clash, Jokic scored 29 points while Antetokounmpo had 40 points.