The All-Star Weekend 2026 once again showed that the relationship between Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic is one of the most unique and spontaneous in the NBA. Although both represent the elite of European basketball and compete year after year for the same awards, their bond is sustained by a natural ease that disarms any rivalry. Every time they cross paths, they make it clear that camaraderie can also be part of the show.
The moment that dominated social media took place in the locker room, minutes before the event began. Jokic walked in with his usual calm demeanor and found Doncic sitting back, relaxed, as if he were in his own living room.
The Slovenian stood up to hug him, but the Denver center greeted him with a joke that went viral within minutes: “You’re fatter than the last time I saw you.”
Luka’s reaction was immediate: pure laughter. Both have been targets of criticism about their physique since their early years in the league, but between them the topic functions as a private code, a way of reminding each other that they have traveled similar paths and can laugh at what others use to attack them.
Luka Doncic: the new engine of the Lakers
What makes the joke even more striking is that it comes at a time when Doncic is going through one of his best physical stretches since arriving at the Los Angeles Lakers. His move to California not only reshaped the league’s competitive landscape, but also sparked a personal transformation. After years of questioning in Dallas, the Slovenian has responded with discipline, leadership, and a level of play that keeps him firmly in the MVP conversation.
This season, Luka has displayed a durability that many once doubted. His immediate connection with Anthony Davis and his impact on the franchise in the post-LeBron James era have restored energy to a team searching for a new cornerstone. His faster, stronger, and more consistent game makes Jokic’s joke an even more complicit gesture for those following his evolution.
As the MVP race intensifies between Denver and Los Angeles, moments like this serve as a reminder that even at the pinnacle of the sport there is room for friendship. The exchange between “Joker” and “Luka Magic” proves that greatness can also be accompanied by humor and humanity.
