Nikola Jokić is on the right track to win his fourth MVP in five seasons, and performances like Thursday evening explain why this is the case.
The Serbian superstar may have made its most impressive match of all time, and one of the best in the history of the NBA, en route to the 132-123 victory of Denver Nuggets against the Sacramento Kings.
Jokić lost 35 points, recovered 22 rebounds and distributed 17 assists in the competition, good for his 20th triple-double of the season at the top of the League; The next closer is LeBron James with nine, so he literally goes around the peloton.
CLICK HERE for more sports cover on Foxnews.com
The center of the Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic (15) reacts after the victory over the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn images)
Thanks to this performance, Jokić became the second person in the history of the NBA to lose more than 35 points, to recover 20 rebounds or more and to distribute at least 15 assists in a match. The other? Wilt Chamberlain, who did it on February 14, 1962, with a score of 35-24-15.
But by displaying the dominant figures, there is something you have to see to believe it.
While the seconds were coming to an end to the third quarter and the nuggets were growing, Jokić decided to uncheck a shot on the other side of the field. Well, when you are hot, you are hot.
It is now five triple double consecutive for Jokić, who displays an average of a career summit of 30.2 points, 13.4 rebounds (his second record) and 10.1 assists, also the greatest number of his career. But it was this shot that seemed to storm the arena – with the exception of Jokić, of course.
The center of the Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic (15) reacts alongside the front Aaron Gordon (32) following a complete basket made in the second half against the Sacramento Kings in Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn images)
“I thought there was a chance, and then a boom,” said his teammate Russell Westbrook, who is ironically the last player to make an average of a triple-double in a season. “The best in all that is that he did not react. What I love.”
Head coach Michael Malone added: “Not surprising. He is a guy who has this strange capacity.”
“When you play, you want to succeed each shot,” said Jokić. “I took it to succeed and I succeeded. It is a lucky blow, not really a high percentage shot, but I took it to succeed. It’s three points. It will help us.”
Only Oscar Robertson and Westbrook achieved an average of 30 points in the history of the NBA, but Jokić could very well join their business.
The center of the Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic (15) is interviewed by the Altitude Sports journalist Katy Winge after the victory over the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn images)
“I think it’s the best basketball I have ever played,” said Jokić. “I feel good there, I’m in good shape, the ball comes in. I think I play really well.”
