Anyone who was even remotely paying attention knows that Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets had a great month of February. The only thing that could slow them down was the All-Star break as the team went 10-2 while Jokic reclaimed the top spot over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on NBA.com’s MVP ladder.
The team fought through injuries and absences for multiple key players and were rarely at full strength, yet somehow managed to play their best, and most consistent basketball of the season. The biggest reason why, of course, was the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic.
For the month, Jokic averaged 27.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 11.6 assists per game. It’s crazy with all the guys in and out of the lineup, he’s such a reliable, steady force for Denver. Those stats alone are incredible, but it’s even more impressive when you consider his efficiency.
Jokic the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double with 70% TS for a month
Jokic also had a 70.3 True Shooting percentage for the month of February. TS% factors in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free throw percentage to give a better indication of how efficiently a player is shooting.
Nikola is the only player in the history of the NBA to average a triple-double with a TS% of 70% or better for an entire month, and he’s done it three times. This is the third month Jokic has accomplished this absurd feat and there’s no reason to think he won’t add more before his career is over.
It’s a testament to how much he fills the box score and how efficiently he does it. Obviously, his TS% is boosted thanks to the three-point line, but nobody in recent memory is coming close to these numbers.
It’s also incredible to look at the sheer volume. It’s not exactly like Jokic is averaging an efficient 12 points a night - he almost put up 30 a game! There are just no bounds to what he can do and we’re witnessing greatness on a nightly level. In this crazy month, Jokic had a triple-double in eight of the Nuggets’ 14 games and came within a rebound or assist on multiple occasions.
This is just what he does. It’s why he’s the best player in the world. It’s why the Nuggets are the two seed in the West and have a real shot at a title. And it’s why he’s at the top of the MVP ladder and in line to win the award for the fourth time in five years.