Defending NBA champions Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets play host to LeBron James and the Lakers in the first game of the league's opening double-header on Tuesday night at Ball Arena.
However, despite the Nuggets raising their championship banner and their players enjoying the prestigious ring ceremony, the club’s best player received a shocking snub by TNT.
Jokić, the two-time NBA MVP, was oddly left off its graphic used to promote the NBA’s opening night doubleheader slate, which featured LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum.
The exclusion prompted Charles Barkley to apologize to the Nuggets and their fans for the egregious decision while appearing on Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM on Tuesday.
"You sent me that graphic, and I showed it to Ernie (Johnson) and we just want to apologize to the Nuggets, Joker and the city of Denver," said Barkley. "That's completely stupid not having Joker on that graphic. I mean, we're here all day!"
Charles Barkley just now on @AltitudeSR 92.5 -
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) October 24, 2023
"You sent me that graphic and I showed it to Ernie (TNT) and we just want to apologize to the Nuggets, Joker and the city of Denver. That's completely stupid not having Joker on that graphic. I mean, we're here all day!" https://t.co/Ph33UsQMK7
In the past, many have blasted the media for the disrespect often shown to Jokić and the Nuggets, who fail to get the accolades often showered upon the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
Further justifying the frustration of Nuggets defenders was Tatum's inclusion in the image, as the Celtics do not even play on Tuesday night.
