Jokić’s Historic Start Puts Him Among NBA’s Elite
Nikola Jokić enters the new NBA season with multiple objectives – primarily chasing another championship with the Denver Nuggets. But the three-time MVP also has several side quests: pursuing a fourth MVP trophy, climbing to second on the franchise’s all-time scoring list, and closing in on Russell Westbrook’s record of 203 career triple-doubles.
Jokić’s Triple-Double Machine Keeps Rolling
The Serbian superstar began the season with 164 career triple-doubles, and that number is growing rapidly. In Denver’s commanding 133-111 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Colorado, Jokić recorded his 166th career triple-double with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 15 assists in just 32 minutes of play.
What makes Jokić truly unique is his statistical profile: the star center’s most impressive number wasn’t his points or rebounds, but his assists – highlighting his exceptional playmaking ability for a big man.
Masterclass in Efficiency
Jokić secured his triple-double before the fourth quarter even began – marking the 69th time in his career he’s achieved this feat. Even more remarkably, he barely attempted shots in the first half, scoring his first field goal with just 2:26 remaining in the second quarter.
Immediately after scoring, Jokić delivered a spectacular alley-oop pass to Aaron Gordon, who finished with a breathtaking 360-degree dunk that left Phoenix’s defense as mere spectators to the highlight-reel play.
Gordon’s Highlight Week Continues
Gordon is making his own waves in the basketball world for the second time this week. Two days earlier, he delivered the most efficient 50-point game in NBA history, and now he’s submitted an early candidate for dunk of the season. In his post-game interview, Gordon acknowledged the play: “I was trying to make ESPN’s Top 10 plays.”
Near-Perfect Performance
Jokić came remarkably close to recording a triple-double without missing a single field goal – something he’s already accomplished four times (more than any player in NBA history, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain’s three). He made all five of his two-point attempts but missed his three three-point attempts.
Elite Company: The Triple-Double Legends
With back-to-back triple-doubles to open the season, Jokić joins an exclusive group of only four other players who’ve accomplished this feat – all members of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. The company includes the usual suspects when discussing triple-doubles: all-time leader Russell Westbrook, former record-holder Oscar Robertson, and Magic Johnson (whom Jokić passed for third place last season). The surprising fourth member? Jerry Lucas.
Oscar Robertson’s Historic 1961-62 Season
Robertson actually opened the 1961-62 season with four consecutive triple-doubles. The Cincinnati Royals sophomore would finish that season averaging a triple-double: 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists – making it the only such season until Westbrook’s MVP campaign decades later.
Despite his historic numbers, Robertson didn’t win MVP that year. Neither did Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points in a single game. During that era, players rather than journalists voted for MVP, and they selected Bill Russell as the winner. Robertson had little chance at the award since his Royals (43-37) were merely an average NBA team.
