Nikola Jokic sets social media on fire with crazy no-look pass to reach triple-double

The Nuggets came out and played some great basketball on Friday night, beating the Heat 133-113 in Miami. They dominated this 2023 NBA Finals rematch from the start and never gave the floundering Heat any reason for hope.

The Heat were welcoming Jimmy Butler back to the lineup after he served a 7-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. That came amidst wild trade rumors and requests that have left that team in a precarious position. They’ve got plenty of their own issues, but things were much better for Denver.

Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray all appeared on the injury report leading up to the game. Jokic suffered an elbow injury during warmups on Wednesday and was scratched from that game against the Rockets. Gordon also missed that game due to injury management for his recent calf strain and Murray was dealing with some knee inflammation.

Luckily, all three were able to play, and the Nuggets looked as healthy and as close to full strength as they have all season. Jamal continued his run of good play with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists, Gordon added 16 and 6 off the bench, and Jokic led the way with a 24-point, 12 rebound, 10 assist triple double.

Jokic steals show with highlight reel pass

But this game was defined by a play late in the third quarter with the Nuggets leading by just nine points and things still hanging in the balance. Peyton Watson was able to wrestle a defensive rebound away from Bam Adebayo underneath the basket. He turned, took one dribble, and heaved a pass the full length of the court for a streaking Jokic.

Jokic was on the run and found himself almost underneath the basket when he extended his arms to catch the pass with Jaime Jaquez and Nikola Jovic in hot pursuit. Between the closing Heat players and Jokic’s momentum leading him out of bounds, he had to make a quick decision with the ball and that’s exactly what he did.

As soon as the Joker corralled the pass, in one motion he lifted it and flung it blindly over his head, leaving it perfectly for Aaron Gordon to gather and throw down a monster dunk. The play was an incredible highlight, even for Jokic. It seemed to help break the game open and it also secured Jokic’s triple-double.

The play also went viral and sent social media into a flurry. People can’t get enough of watching Jokic make plays like he has eyes in the back of his head. It was beautiful to see the team having fun, playing loosely, and creating basketball magic.

This is certainly nothing new for the Joker, but it’s still always a great sight for Nuggets fans. Jokic has managed to make crazy plays seem routine over the years, but he’s still must-watch TV and you never know when he’ll create the next viral highlight.