The Nuggets were back in action on Thursday night, facing a tough challenge on the road in Cleveland against the team with the NBA’s best record, the Cavaliers. Denver hung tight in the first half, but fell apart after the break, falling behind by as many as 18 points, before ultimately losing, 126-114.
But even in the grim defeat, Nikola Jokic shined brightly, facing one of the league’s best frontcourt duos, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, and still finishing with 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists.
This was already the Joker’s ninth triple-double of the season despite playing in just 17 games so far. The three-time MVP is averaging a triple-double so far in the young season, something that has only been accomplished by Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson over the course of an entire season.
Nikola Jokic now has 3rd most triple-doubles in NBA history
With this latest triple-double, Jokic is now only looking up at those same two players in terms of all-time ranks. This was Jokic’s 139th career triple-double, moving him ahead of Magic Johnson for third-most in the league's history
The only players to ever record more triple-doubles in their careers than Jokic are the aforementioned Robertson, who had 181, and Jokic’s now-teammate, Westbrook who has recorded 200 triple-doubles (including one this season for the Nuggets).
I’m sure that Jokic doesn’t care about this and he’s worried about other things at the moment, but it’s still an incredible achievement at just age 29 that shows his all-around impact on the game.
Jokic still has a long way to go to catch Oscar and Russ, but at his age and pace, it’s certainly not outside the realm of possibility. Who knows how long the Joker will be able to play at this amazing level and rack up these stats, but for some context, Jokic has recorded his 139 triple-doubles in 692 career games played.
Westbrook has played in 1,182 games so far in his career, Robertson played in 1,040, and Magic played in 906. If Nikola plays well into his 30s, this record is well within his reach - especially if he keeps up the torrid pace he has set so far this season.
It’s also super impressive to see Jokic on this list amongst the greatest point guards and playmakers to ever pick up a basketball. He is the only big man in the top 7, a list that along with Russ, Oscar, Joker, and Magic, also includes Lebron James, Jason Kidd, and James Harden.
I’d be remiss not to mention that Jokic may have company in chasing this record before too long. His friend and budding rival Luka Doncic has already amassed a whopping 77 triple-doubles in just 416 games. At just 25 years old, it seems there’s a good chance he and Jokic top this list when it’s all said and done.