Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has been on a tear recently, and he reached new heights Thursday night.
Jokić joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to record at least 35 points, 20 rebounds and 15 assists in a game, leading Denver to a 132-123 win over the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena. Jokić has made his feats look easy, but he’s contributed to the team’s success in multiple ways: knocking down 3-pointers, rebounding and scoring and dishing inside to keep his teammates involved and defenders on their toes.
NIKOLA JOKIĆ’S 5TH STRAIGHT TRIPLE-DOUBLE IS A HISTORIC ONE 🤯
🃏 35 PTS | 22 REB | 17 AST 🃏
He joins Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to record a game with 35+ PTS, 20+ REB, & 15+ AST! pic.twitter.com/n1qRSKvdar
— NBA (@NBA) January 24, 2025
The Serbian and three-time MVP is impacting Denver in the wins column as well. The Nuggets are on a four-game winning streak and have won eight of their last nine. The lone defeat during that run, which came on Jan. 15 against Houston, saw Jokić sidelined by an elbow injury.
During his triple-double streak, Jokić contributed 27 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in a road victory over the Orlando Magic and 24 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a win at Miami. He began the streak merely touching the triple-double mark with a 10-point, 14-rebound and 10-assist outing at Dallas on Jan. 14.
In all but one game, Jokić’s plus-minus has been superb, with his worst being a plus-6. All other margins have been double-digits, including a high of plus-21 in the win over Philadelphia.
Jokić may be getting the statistical love, but his involvement in setting up teammates has been critical during both his and Denver’s streaks.
The Nuggets (28-16) are first in the league in assists (31), rank third in points per game and fifth in rebounds per game. Denver, currently fourth in the Western Conference, is 23rd in opponents points per game, according to NBA.com, allowing 115 points per contest.
Jokić recorded his 139th career triple-double on Dec. 5 in a 126-114 loss to the Cavaliers, passing Magic Johnson for third place on the NBA’s all-time list. He finished with 27 points, 20 rebounds and 11 assists in that game. Only Oscar Robertson (181) and teammate Russell Westbrook (200) have more regular-season triple-doubles. He has recorded at least 10 triple-doubles every season since the 2017-18 campaign, with a career-high 29 in 2022-23 (the Nuggets’ championship season) and 25 last year.
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(Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)
