Nikola Jokic captured one other groundbreaking achievement that contributes to his case as one of many sport’s biggest ever.
On Thursday towards the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Denver Nuggets celebrity registered his 139th profession triple-double, ending with 27 factors, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists that catapulted him over Magic Johnson into the third place on the NBA’s all-time leaderboard.
Jokic made historical past by dispensing his tenth help of the night time in the course of the fourth quarter. With 3:37 left in regulation, he delivered a go on Michael Porter Jr. en path to a profitable three-pointer.
The reigning league MVP wanted 692 video games to acquire the feat, which is comparatively low in comparison with the Corridor of Famer’s 880 matches to etch 138 profession triple-doubles.
“It’s one thing that you simply’re most likely going to take a look at after you end your profession,” Jokic mentioned, who now has 9 triple-doubles this season. “Proper now, you don’t even give it some thought. Nevertheless it’s an amazing factor. It’s very nice.”
Jokic now trails solely two different legends to achieve the highest of the triple-double record. He wants 42 extra to maneuver previous Oscar Robertson (181) earlier than his present Nuggets teammate Russell Westbrook who holds the all-time document (200).
Though he’s pleased with Jokic’s triple-double milestone, head coach Michael Malone in the meantime couldn’t conceal his disappointment over the Nuggets’ shedding effort towards the Cavs.
Of their 126-114 loss, Denver encountered troubles in defending Cleveland, permitting the house staff to tug away with 22 threes over their lowly 6-of-24 marks powered by Donovan Mitchell’s 28 factors.
“We simply obtained our butts kicked,” Malone mentioned. “Clearly, I really like Nikola and I really feel very lucky to teach a participant along with his expertise and he’ll go down as among the best to ever do it. I’m glad to listen to that, I actually am. However I’m a lot extra involved about our staff proper now and the place we’re at.
“It’s not a lot that we misplaced tonight. I knew coming in right here can be a tall order. I simply don’t like how we misplaced and there’s a large distinction.”
It’s been a zigzagging progress up to now for Jokic and the Nuggets, who now sit within the West’s eighth place (11-9). They’ll look to regroup on Saturday towards the Washington Wizards for the second cease of their three-game street journey.
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