One other day, one other historic feat for Nikola Jokic.
On Thursday, the Nuggets star turned the primary participant since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968 to register a 35/20/15 recreation. Jokic posted his fifth consecutive triple-double — 35 factors, 22 rebounds, 17 assists — because the Nuggets beat the Kings, 132-123, to increase their successful streak to 4.
Jokic all however sealed the Nuggets’ win by the top of the third when he made a miraculous full-court heave to place Denver up by 25. Nevertheless, the Kings would outscore the Nuggets, 38-22, within the fourth to tug inside single-digit factors however could not full the come-from-behind win.
The efficiency was all of the extra spectacular because it got here in opposition to the red-hot Kings, who entered the game on a 10-2 run of their final dozen video games beneath interim coach Doug Christie. Moreover, Jokic was matched in opposition to fellow stat-stuffing machine Domantas Sabonis, who averaged 16.1 rebounds over his earlier 12 video games.
Of their head-to-head battle, Jokic would outshine Sabonis in each statistical class — 35 to 23 in factors, 23 to 19 in rebounds and 17 to eight in assists — to set the tone for the Nuggets from the onset.
After Thursday’s recreation, Jokic made a telling remark about his blistering run of triple-doubles and historic feats.
“I feel that is one of the best basketball of my life, that I’ve ever performed,” he stated, via The Denver Post. “I am feeling good on the market. I am in form. The ball goes in. I am feeling good. I feel I can affect the sport on totally different ranges.”
It is astounding that Jokic, a former three-time MVP, feels he is simply getting into the prime of his profession. The numbers again up his declare, seeing as he is averaging career-highs in factors (30.2), assists (10.1), steals (1.9), 3P% (47.9) and 3PM (2.1) by way of 38 video games this season.
Whereas a 35/20/15 recreation had been recorded as soon as earlier than, by Chamberlain, Jokic notched several first-time box-score entries throughout his MVP-winning marketing campaign in 2023-24. He turned the primary participant with stat traces similar to 26/16/18, 32/16/16/4 and 35/17/12/6. There is a purpose Jokic has been extensively hailed because the NBA’s best statistical marvel since Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson.