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Rookie Yang Hansen Meets Idol Nikola Jokic Before Nuggets Rout of Blazers

Jokic's reassurance highlighted Hansen's nerves at the start of his NBA journey.

Overview

  • Hansen and Jokic spoke courtside in Portland before the Feb. 20 game, with Jokic telling the rookie not to be nervous and to just play.
  • Denver beat Portland 157-103 in the Blazers' worst loss of the season, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive.
  • Jokic logged 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists before exiting in the third quarter and sitting the entire fourth.
  • Hansen saw extended minutes late, missing a three and four straight free throws before hitting a sweeping hook and making his final two attempts.
  • The meeting followed Hansen's All-Star weekend joke about wanting to kiss Jokic, a line he later framed as a sign of respect in a team video of the encounter.