There’s no one like Nikola Jokic.
And on Friday night, in a Denver Nuggets overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns, Jokic did something unprecedented.
Jokic tallied 31 points, 21 rebounds and 22 assists. No one in NBA history has ever put up a 30-20-20 game, until now.
“Nikola Jokic is one of one,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters after the game. “I mean, the first player to ever have a 30, 20 and 20 game. I can’t describe him, so don’t ask me to. The guy is just an incredible player, and when you are one of one in this league and the tremendous history of this league, that says a lot. And there’s a lot of good players in this league, but Nikola, in my opinion, is just in a class well by himself.”
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Nikola Jokic’s historic stats
Here’s the full stat line for Jokic on Friday:
- 31 points (13-22 FG, 3-7 3FG, 2-3 FT)
- 21 rebounds (17 defensive, 4 offensive)
- 22 assists
- 3 steals
- 4 turnovers
His usage rate was 26.5 percent, which is actually below his season average of more than 30 percent.
It certainly helped that the game went to overtime, but even before OT, Jokic had put up 26 points, 18 rebounds and 17 assists.
Denver’s 149-141 triumph was also sparked by nine points in overtime from Christian Braun.
In his career, Jokic has now tallied 149 triple-doubles. This season alone, seven of his triple-doubles have now been at least 15-15-15, which ties Oscar Robertson for most in a single season, according to the Associated Press.
Nikola Jokic’s funny quote on crazy triple-double
Jokic has often drawn amusement for the way he publicly speaks about his basketball career. Famously, after winning an NBA title, he didn’t want to wait around for the parade. He wanted to go home to Serbia and be with his horses.
So on Friday night, it’s no shock that Jokic was a bit subdued when it came to his 30-20-20 game, albeit in a very Jokic kind of way.
“I think I’m gonna see this and think about this when my career is over,” Jokic told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. “It’s gonna be nice to go finish my career, on my couch, and think I had a really good game.”
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