After a shaky start to their season, the Denver Nuggets have pulled themselves back to the .500 mark following a 144-139 overtime victory in Brooklyn over the Nets. It was Denver’s second consecutive overtime win in two nights in a back-to-back that started in Toronto against the Raptors. While Denver has seemingly picked themselves up off their feet, Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic is making everyone jump to their feet with some truly ridiculous numbers in his last three games. On Tuesday night, those ridiculous numbers led to a little bit of history-making.
A History Making Night for Dominant Nuggets Superstar
Nuggets Superstar Nikola Jokic Breaks 62-Year NBA Drought
Jokic couldn’t jump up onto a street curb, as Stephen A. Smith loves to reiterate, but even he knows the two-time MVP is great beyond measure. On Tuesday night, Jokic once again showed the world just how great he is. His magnificent triple-double performance against the Nets was not just another random Tuesday night, regular season triple-double, a feat that Jokic has achieved 150 times overall (132 in the regular season). No, this one was epic in its own proportion. That’s because Jokic’s stat line, 29-18-16, had not been reached in 62 years. Those 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists were accredited to the great Oscar Robertson decades ago. No player had hit that mark since.
In Denver’s last three games, Jokic has scored 40 or more twice, including one double-double and one triple-double (41-9-4, 40-10-4, 29-18-16). On top of that, he is averaging 31.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 9.2 assists for the season, just four games in—some more ridiculous numbers. Only Anthony Davis (32.8) and LaMelo Ball (31.7) are ahead of him in points per game.
If you’ve paid any attention to Jokic over the years, he likely won’t get up for his most recent history-making achievement, as fans and NBA media members will. Instead, he’s more likely counting down the days when he can return to his horses in Serbia. As for us, we get up for something like this because it truly is remarkable. Jokic’s stats, in general, year in and year out, are praise-worthy. Having his name beside the Hall of Famer Robertson in this capacity is another level, though.
No Sweat Off His Back
Jokic’s amazing night happened in the second of a back-to-back, which is another eye-opening element to this storyline. Additionally, both games went to extra minutes. Jokic, though, didn’t seem overly bothered by the back-to-back overtimes and was just happy with the win.
“It is just five extra minutes. It is not that much extra playing time. I am glad we had the momentum going in and I think we controlled the overtime, and that is a good thing. We found the baskets when we needed, so I think it was a good overtime for us.”
It’s good to know Jokic doesn’t lose too much steam playing all those extra minutes. The Nuggets must be beaming to have a center who plays every game.
The Nuggets are now at 2-2 after dropping their first two games. The momentum Jokic speaks of will hopefully carry over into Minnesota Friday night and beyond. Friday will mark Denver’s first game against the team that knocked them out of last year’s Western Conference semifinals. The Nuggets undoubtedly have championship aspirations this season and are only two years removed from winning the franchise’s first title in 2023. They are not to be slept on. Despite the blazing rise of the Oklahoma City Thunder, amongst the other threats in the West, the Nuggets are right there with them. But, before we reach April, enjoy Nikola Jokic’s greatness. There are surely more triple-doubles to come.
