Nikola Jokic is among the most unusual and expert huge males to ever play the sport of basketball, a reality he proved but once more on Sunday evening with a efficiency that, even by the requirements he is set because the reigning two-time MVP, was astounding. Jokic completed with 40 factors, 27 rebounds and 10 assists within the Nuggets’ 119-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
Jokic is the primary participant to place up no less than 35 factors, 25 rebounds and 10 assists in a recreation since Wilt Chamberlain went for 53 factors, 32 rebounds and 14 assists in 1968, per ESPN Stats and Info. The Serbian can also be simply the third participant to ever pull it off, as Chamberlain had seven such video games in his profession and Elgin Baylor did it as soon as.
All advised, between his personal baskets and those he created off assists, Jokic was chargeable for 63 of the Nuggets’ 119 factors, they usually have been all significant. The Nuggets trailed by double digits within the first half and did not take management of the sport till Jokic led a cost within the third quarter. However though they constructed a 16-point lead, they wanted Jokic once more down the stretch. After checking in with 7:37 to go within the fourth quarter, Jokic both scored or assisted on 18 of the Nuggets’ remaining 22 factors. That included going 3-of-4 from the free throw line within the remaining 16 seconds to seal the victory.
“I had no concept he had 27 rebounds. I knew he had a whole lot of rebounds, however I have never seen that quantity fairly often,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone mentioned. “What he does is simply wonderful each evening. Actually grateful he is sporting a Nuggets uniform.”
By way of no fault of his personal, Jokic has flown a bit beneath the radar this season. Like many stars earlier than him, he is made his greatness appear so routine that it finally ends up working in opposition to him from a media consideration stand level. The reality is, he is arguably been even higher than he was in his two MVP seasons.
He is as much as 25.2 factors per recreation on 62.1 % from the sector, to associate with 10.9 rebounds and 9 assists. This was his fifth triple-double of the season (81st of his profession, which is sixth all-time).
With Jokic main the best way, the Nuggets are actually 18-11 on the season and only one recreation out of first place within the Western Convention.
