Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic grew to become the primary NBA participant since Oscar Robertson within the 1964-65 season to report at the least 26 factors, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists in a single sport, throughout Sunday’s 130-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The six-time All-Star ended his outing with 26 factors, 18 rebounds, 16 assists, and a steal in 34 minutes of motion. He completed 11-of-18 (61.1%) taking pictures from the sphere and 3-of-5 (60%) on the free throw line. It was his 61st double-double and twenty third triple-double of the season as effectively.
Per just a few NBA betting websites, Jokic stays the front-runner to win his third MVP award. Sportsbooks are nonetheless exhibiting Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander within the high three.
Nikola Jokic turns into the primary participant since Oscar Robertson in 1965 to place up 26+ PTS, 18+ REB, and 16+ AST in a single sport
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“He’s one of the crucial gifted scorers on this league and he doesn’t need to rating,” mentioned Reggie Jackson, who put up 19 factors on 6-of-10 (60%) taking pictures from the ground and 5 3-pointers. “He needs to cross the ball and play the correct means, which makes him extraordinarily arduous to protect.”
After all, Jokic registered the triple-double with a lob cross to Aaron Gordon to offer the Nuggets an 85-66 lead with 5:04 left within the third and located Jackson open for a behind-the-back cross for a layup.
“In the event you play the correct means, you all the time obtained an opportunity to get a shot,” Jackson added about Jokic. “He’s a supernova; he’s the brightest star. Truthfully, he’s the solar. All the things revolves round him.”
Denver Nuggets star and MVP favourite Nikola Jokic trails solely Domantas Sabonis in triple-doubles
Extra importantly, the Nuggets clinched a playoff berth with the win Sunday. Denver entered the matchup a half-game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder for the highest spot within the Western Convention.
Final month, Jokic notched the NBA’s ninth 35-point triple-double with at the least 5 steals in Denver’s 125-119 win over the Toronto Raptors on March 11.
The Nuggets star amassed 35 factors, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, six steals, and two blocks in 38 minutes of motion. To not point out, he completed 14-of-26 (53.8%) taking pictures from the sphere and made all six free throws.
Nikola Jokic yesterday:
✅ 26 PTS✅ 18 REB✅ 16 AST
It’s his seventh profession 20p/15r/15a sport, breaking a tie with Wilt Chamberlain and Russell Westbrook for the second-most such video games in NBA historical past (Oscar Robertson, 14).
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Moreover, Jokic trails simply Domantas Sabonis (26) in triple-doubles this season. Doncic is third with 19, adopted by Giannis Antetokounmpo (9), Josh Hart (6), Scottie Barnes (4), LeBron James (4), Bam Adebayo (2), Anthony Davis (2), Joel Embiid (2), and different stars.
By way of 72 video games (all begins) this season, Jokic is averaging 26.1 factors, 12.3 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 34.5 minutes per sport whereas taking pictures 57.9% from the ground and 34.6% from downtown.
Moreover, the 6-foot-11 middle leads the NBA in participant effectivity score (30.9), win shares (15.4), field plus/minus (13.3), defensive field plus/minus (4.2), and worth over substitute participant (9.7).
Denver hosts the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday evening.
