Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic routinely puts up gaudy numbers that his greatness is sometimes overlooked.
But on Monday, in the Nuggets’ 128-118 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, Jokic served up another reminder of just how great he is by making history official. The three-time MVP had 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist to finish the season with per-game averages of 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists.
Nikola Jokic Is One of One
With his 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists, Nikola Jokic just became the first NBA player in history to lead the league in both categories—in the same season.
That’s right, the Serbian center did something this season never before done in the 79 previous years of the NBA.
Even more impressive, no player in league history had ever led the league in rebounds and assists even in different seasons—until Nikola Jokic did it. Wilt Chamberlain came closest, leading the NBA in rebounds during the 1967-68 season and finishing just behind Oscar Robertson, 9.7 to 8.6, in assists (though The Stilt led the NBA in total dimes that year).
Nikola Jokic Joins Elite Company
With averages of 27.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists a game, Nikola Jokic also recorded his second consecutive triple-double season and, in doing so, joined Russell Westbrook and Robertson as the only three players to have more than one such season.
Jokic averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists last season. He also missed averaging a triple-double in the two seasons before that, finishing an assist a game shy each time.
With these numbers, it is almost certain The Joker will be feted with a few end-of-season awards, notably an All-NBA selection and maybe even the MVP. Both are possible as Jokic met the 65-game threshold by playing in the Nuggets 82nd game of the regular season.
Nuggets Lock Up Third Seed in the West
Aside from Nikola Jokic’s record-setting game, Monday’s win saw the Nuggets lock up the third seed in the Western Conference—and a first-round matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Locking up the third seed is significant for Denver, as it means the former champs will avoid an early second-round showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder before a potential matchup with any of the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, or Los Angeles Lakers.
Whatever the case may be, expect Nikola Jokic and his Nuggets to be ready.
