INDIANAPOLIS — Nikola Jokic’s eyes lit up more than usual when the next question was about basketball.
In a week of shock and grief, the sport Jokic is widely perceived to trivialize has in fact been a sanctuary and source of joy. He didn’t want to speak much about his former coach, Dejan Milojevic, during his first interview since Milojevic’s unexpected death at age 43 last week. But when the questions turned from that topic to the Nuggets’ stirring 114-109 over the Pacers, Jokic — a superstar known for his occasionally sardonic dealings with the press — enthusiastically reviewed the game.