Jonas Valanciunas was recruited by the Denver Nuggets for a specific reason – to become a quality reliever for Nikola Jokic. Two games into the season, did the Joker’s load got lighter? Jokic is not thinking about. He believes he got the world on his shoulder.
The Nuggets are coming off a win against the Phoenix Suns after dropping their first one which was against the Golden State Warriors. The three-time MVP played 41 minutes in the first game and then logged 32 on Saturday. His minutes went down at the same time Valanciunas’ numbers got better.
Is Jonas making his life easier? Not exactly because as per Jokic, he never rests. He even compared himself to Thomas Shelby of the gangster TV series Peaky Blinders.
“I never relax and breathe easy, my friend,” Jokic told reporters when asked about his new teammate.
“Tommy Shelby said there is no rest in this world.”
Nikola Jokic: asked if he can relax and breathe easy when Jonas Valanciunas takes the court: “I never relax and breathe easy, my friend… Thomas Shelby said there is no rest for me in this world.”
Via: https://t.co/HeAiA0cO4S pic.twitter.com/4wTLsotcBR
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) October 26, 2025
Thomas Shelby is the name of the character that Cillian Murphy plays. In the show, he is the leader of a criminal syndicate who got involved in national affairs. He had to take care of his business while also trying his best to protect his family.
Valanciunas has so far played 12.5 minutes per game as a back up. He is currently averaging 10 ppg and 5 rpg.
Nikola Jokic continues to make history
The Nuggets don’t need huge numbers from Valanciunas as Jokic can provide them all in any given night. Their superstar made history on Saturday by becoming just the fifth player in NBA history to have a back-to-back triple double in their first two opening games.
He joined in this exclusive club the likes of Russsell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Jerry Lucas.
Nikola Jokić becomes the 5th player in NBA history to open up a season with back-to-back triple-doubles!
Joining…
Russell Westbrook (2020-21)
Magic Johnson (1981-82, 1982-83)
Jerry Lucas (1972-73)
Oscar Robertson (1961-62) https://t.co/wGc2sQG2sJ pic.twitter.com/JPtiwWNLoo— NBA History (@NBAHistory) October 26, 2025
Jokic will look to add one more game to that stat when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.
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