Nikola Jokic said fans who booed the Denver Nuggets during the first half of their comeback victory over the New Orleans Pelicans are "not welcome" at Ball Arena in the future.

The Nuggets were 73-57 down at the half in their home opener on Saturday, with many of those in attendance making their displeasure clear.

But the second half saw Jokic mastermind a stirring fightback, as the Nuggets eventually prevailed 141-135 in overtime.

The three-time NBA MVP had 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists during that success, which came off the back of a season-opening 96-84 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But afterwards, he made his feelings about those first-half jeers very clear.

"We got booed at our first home game, and I think those fans who booed us, they don't need to come anymore," Jokic said. 

"If you guys follow us, you know that we never quit, and we've come back from much worse situations. So, if they ask me, they are not welcome anymore."

Jokic's triple-double was the 222nd of his career, which saw him surpass Russell Westbrook for the league's all-time record, when counting both regular-season and playoff games.

Westbrook still holds the regular-season record with 209, with Jokic 10 behind, and that is the mark he sees as more valuable. 

199 CAREER TRIPLE-DOUBLES AND COUNTING FOR JOKER...  35 PTS  15 REB  10 AST Nikola Jokić is now 11 triple-doubles away from setting a new all-time record as the @nuggets completed the 23-point comeback win last night! https://t.co/ctNKwiisap

— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2026

"No, if I break his official record, then I'm going to text him," Jokic said when asked if he would contact Westbrook about the new regular-season and playoff record.

"It's definitely something for after the career. It is nice."

The Nuggets are next in action at home to the Golden State Warriors on Monday, before going on the road for a swift rematch against New Orleans two days later.