The Denver Nuggets pulled out a huge 120-113 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday in a game that featured a player, Nikola Jokic, continuing his march to history and one who actually made history in LeBron James.
Nikola Jokic Notches Triple-Double to Lead Nuggets
Losers of four of their last nine games, the Nuggets needed a win on Friday to break their free fall from third in the West to fifth, and they got it with Nikola Jokic leading the way. The three-time MVP finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists for his 23rd triple-double of the season. Jamal Murray added 28.
With his 12 boards and 13 dimes, Jokic was able to keep his averages—12.6 rebounds and 10.3 assists—right where they were before the matchup with the Purple and Gold. Those numbers, as of this writing, are leading the entire NBA. If that trend continues, The Joker will end up making history as the first-ever player in league history to lead the league in both statistical categories.
LeBron Makes History Himself
While Jokic is chasing history, LeBron James made more history for himself against the Nuggets as he made his 15,838th field goal in the first quarter—passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most field goals made in NBA history.
James finished with 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting in a losing effort. Luka Doncic top-scored for the Lakers with 27 but was just 11-for-24 from the field.
LeBron came into the game having made 15,835 field goals in his 23-year career. He tied Abdul-Jabbar with a dunk at the 6:35 mark of the first quarter before resetting the record six minutes later with a short turnaround in the corner. He made four more field goals the rest of the way and is now at 15,842 for his career.
James will look to add more to his total on Sunday when the Lakers take on the New York Knicks. Nikola Jokic, on the other hand, will continue to chase history on the same day when the Nuggets face the Indiana Pacers.
