Nikola Jokic’s reign as the top basketball player in the world reached a new pinnacle on Thursday.
Jokic achieved a Triple-Double against every NBA team he played against, except for the Wizards, during the Nuggets’ game against them.
Jokic appears to be effortlessly achieving an average Triple-Double of 26.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game this season. His 16 triple-doubles rank second only to 18-year-old Domantas Sabonis, and he even surpassed LeBron James for fourth place on the all-time list earlier this year.
After achieving the accomplishment against the wizards on Thursday, he has joined James and Russell Westbrook in the prestigious Triple-Double Club.
Nikola Jokic’s Triple-Doubles: Denver’s Star becomes part of elite group against Washington
Regardless of his acknowledgement, Jokic performed as if he was cognizant of the potential historical impact he could make against the Wizards on Thursday.
Jokic, a Triple-Double player, has been hesitant to achieve this feat against all NBA teams except the Nuggets. However, he came close to reaching his goal in the first half with 10 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists. In the second half, he helped Aaron Gordon score Denver’s first basket, completing the Triple-Double.
Jokic became the third player in NBA history, alongside James and Westbrook, to achieve a Triple-Double against every team in the League.
He ended the match with a total of 21 points, 19 rebounds, and 15 assists, making all 10 of his shots from the field, leading his team to victory against Washington.
It’s stunning. It’s unique,” Jokic expressed about his most recent display. “When I retire, it will serve as a legacy or something significant. This is a crucial milestone.
Both James and Westbrook have been on multiple teams, making them members of their own exclusive club. These two future Hall of Famers have accomplished a Triple-Double against all 30 NBA teams, a feat that Jokic would only be able to achieve by leaving the Nuggets.
In 2019, James became the first player to accomplish this feat. Interestingly, it was the Thunder, not his former teams the Cavaliers or the Heat, who were the final team he achieved a Triple-Double against. James scored 25 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists to guide the Lakers to victory over Oklahoma City.
In 2020, Westbrook James achieved a historic feat. Playing for the Rockets, he recorded 32 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds in a defeat against the Thunder.
Most triple-doubles in NBA history.
Jokic is making his way up the ladder of all-time triple-doubles in the NBA. As previously stated, he surpassed James and is now in fourth place for the season.
Jokic is just 17 triple doubles shy of overtaking Magic Johnson, but he still has 60 years to go before reaching Oscar Robertson and 77 (and counting) before claiming Westbrook’s crown.
Rewritten text: Categorizing Players with Triple-Doubles
Rewritten text:
Russell Westbrook, 198 years of age.
Two-time NBA MVP Oscar Robertson, with a career total of 181 awards.
Three Magic Johnson 138
Nikola Jokic, number 4, with a total of 121 points.
