Nikola Jokic is on track to win his fourth MVP in five seasons, and performances like Thursday night are why that is the case.
The Serbian superstar posted perhaps his most impressive game, one of the best in NBA history, in the Denver Nuggets' 132-123 win over the Sacramento Kings.
Jokic dropped 35 points, grabbed 22 rebounds and handed out 17 assists in the contest. The next cross is nine LeBron James, so he's literally lapping the field.
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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts after the win over the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-Immagn image)
With the performance, Jokic becomes only the second person in NBA history to drop 35 or more points, grab 20 or more rebounds, and dish out at least 15 assists in a game. The other one? Wilt Chamberlain did so when he installed 35-24-15 on February 14, 1962.
But in putting up the dominant numbers, something has come that you have to see to believe.
With seconds ticking down in the third quarter and the Nuggets going big, Jokic decided to get a shot on the other side of the court. Well, when you're hot, you're hot.
Currently averaging a career-high 30.2 points, 13.4 rebounds (second to his second), and 10.1 assists, these are Jokic's five straight triple-doubles in his career. But this shot is the one that seemed to take the arena by storm – except for Jokic, of course.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts alongside forward Aaron Gordon (32) following a full-court basket made in the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-Immagn image)
“I thought it was a chance, and boom,” teammate Russell Westbrook said. “The best part of it wasn't the reaction from him. I love that.”
“It's no surprise, he's a guy who has this eerie ability,” head coach Michael Malone said.
“When I play, I want to make every shot,” Jokic said. “I took it to make it and made it. It was a lucky shot and it wasn't really a high percentage shot, but I took it to make it. That's three points. It helps us.
Only Oscar Robertson and Westbrook averaged a triple-double of 30 points in NBA history, but Jokic was able to join the company quite well.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) was interviewed by Advanced Sports reporter Katie Winge after the win over the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-Immagn image)
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“I think this is the best basketball I've ever played,” Jokic said. “I feel good out there, I'm in shape, the ball is going in. I think I'm playing really well.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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