Nikola Jokić has already established himself as one of the NBA’s most unique and dominant forces. But this season, the Denver Nuggets superstar reached a level of all-around brilliance never before seen in his career — or almost anyone else’s.
With a 26-point, 16-rebound, 13-assist performance in Denver’s 117-109 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Jokić officially secured his place in NBA history as only the third player to average a triple-double across an entire season. He now joins the exclusive company of Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook — his former teammate — as the only players to accomplish the feat.
Though Jokić flirted with the milestone in previous years, this marks the first time he has crossed the threshold, adding a new jewel to his already dazzling resume. The Serbian big man had averaged 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists during the Nuggets’ 2022-23 title run — tantalizingly close — but this season he shattered any doubts with across-the-board excellence.
What makes this campaign even more remarkable is the context: this is statistically the most explosive season of Jokić’s career. He’s posting career highs in both scoring and assists, shooting a personal-best from beyond the arc, and earlier this year, erupted for a jaw-dropping 61-point triple-double — the highest-scoring triple-double in league history. He also recorded the NBA’s first-ever 30-20-20 game.
Amid these record-breaking feats, the 29-year-old three-time MVP is now firmly in the conversation for a fourth. While Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the odds-on favorite for this year’s award, Jokić’s campaign could be enough to sway voters, especially given the circumstances in Denver.
Following the franchise’s championship high last year, the Nuggets have struggled with depth, injuries, and internal friction — struggles that ultimately cost both head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth their jobs. Through it all, Jokić has kept the team afloat, functioning as its offensive engine, emotional anchor, and tactical mastermind.
Take him out of the equation, and many believe the Nuggets wouldn’t even be in playoff contention. With him, they’re still dangerous — a testament to how singularly valuable he remains.
In a league teeming with young stars and evolving styles of play, Nikola Jokić continues to redefine what greatness looks like — quietly, brilliantly, and now, historically.
