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Nikola Jokić breaks down viral preseason behind-the-back pass, his new 'personal favorite' assist
Oct 15 2026 02:49 · By Ben Lambert, for NBA.com · 2 Reads
Nikola Jokić and Cam Johnson broke down his viral behind-the-back dime against the Utah Jazz.
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Nikola Jokić and Cam Johnson broke down his viral behind-the-back dime against the Utah Jazz with NBA staff in recent days, sharing some insight into one of The Joker’s favorite assists of his career.
Q: "Where would you rank that in your all-time passes?"
JOKER: "Probably right on the top."
Nikola Jokić on his UNREAL behind-the-back no-look crosscourt dime, plus Cam Johnson’s full breakdown as the recipient on the other end 🔥
pic.twitter.com/J578tYiuxv
— NBA (@NBA)
October 14, 2026
Jokić backed down Lauri Markkanen in the strong side corner during the Nuggets’ preseason opener on Oct. 4, then, after catching sight of Johnson, slung a behind-the-back pass along the baseline, whipping it past three defenders directly into his teammate’s hands for an open 3-pointer.
“I didn’t have to move my hands,” said Johnson. “Amazingly fast.”
Jokić said such passes often come to mind, but he needs to practice them.
He’s delivered
more than a few highlight-reel assists in his career
, tallying 6,080 dimes, good for No. 41 on the all-time charts.
“(This one would) be right on top,” said Jokić. “I think that’s my personal favorite.”