Nikola Jokic seems to make some type of history after almost every game. That was the case again on Monday after the Denver Nuggets defeated the Toronto Raptors by the score of 125-119. Denver looked to be sleepwalking through much of the game falling behind by 21 in the third quarter. In the end, though the Nuggets improved to 9-1 since the All-Star break as they continue their ascent up the standings.
People have almost become immune to reacting to Jokic’s stat lines as he puts up otherworldly numbers more often than not. Last night, he recorded his 21st triple-double of the season (and the 126th of his career in the regular season) with 35 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists while also adding six steals.
Nikola Jokic Makes History Again on Monday
Nobody had ever Duplicated Jokic’s Stat Line
The final numbers from Jokic listed above gave him a historic outing. As a matter of fact, no player in the history of the NBA had ever reached those numbers in a single game.
Jokic tonight:
35 PTS
17 REB
12 AST
6 STL (!!)The first player in NBA history to reach those numbers in a game. https://t.co/QXPJr3JfC1
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 12, 2024
The two-time MVP is certainly looking to become a three-time winner with his play since the All-Star break. In the ten games, Jokic has averaged 26.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, 10.6 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks. He has shot 60.5% from the field and been nearly automatic at 91.7% from the charity stripe. Six of those 10 games since the break have seen Jokic end up with a triple-double.
On the season, Jokic is now averaging 26.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists in 63 outings. Those averages place the 29-year-old 13th, fourth, and fourth respectively on the leaderboard of those categories. His Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 31.5 leads the league and would be the fourth-straight season he has led if he is still atop at season’s end.
DraftKings Sportsbook has Jokic as the heavy favorite to win his third MVP at -255. The next two after him are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+350) and Luka Doncic (+800).
Tight Race for Jokic and Nuggets at Top of West
The Nuggets have been a dominant home team, and it will be that much harder for a team in the Western Conference to knock them out if they secure the home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs.
Last season, Denver went 10-1 at home during the postseason as they won the franchise’s first NBA Championship. They are 27-6 at Ball Arena this season.
Jokic put up ridiculous numbers in last season’s playoffs averaging 30.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in 20 games.
The Nuggets have a 45-20 record which places them second in the Western Conference standings. They are just a half-game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder who are 45-19. Denver is a game ahead of the third-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves and three games ahead of the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers.
Denver’s next game is a rematch of the 2023 NBA Finals on Wednesday as they go on the road to take on the Miami Heat. They have 17 games remaining with eight at home and nine on the road.
