Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets made a statement in their latest win over the Phoenix Suns. Leading the way for Denver was of course none other than their superstar Nikola Jokic once again. Despite some inconsistencies from his star player, Jamal Murray, and a second quarter scare, the Joker kept the team in check and helped them pull away in the second half. Denver won, 118-102. However, perhaps the most impressive feat of the night was breaking another record held by Nikola Jokic, Wilt Chamberlain.
Nikola Jokic breaks another record
Nikola Jokic’s historic qualifiers so far
Jokic passed Chamberlain for the most triple-double by a center in NBA history in a final game in Denver’s latest win. The Joker posted a streak of 29 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. In the post-season, Jokic was one of, if not the, best playoff performers averaging 30.6 points, 13.1 total rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game. In this current series against the Suns, the two-time MVP has averaged numbers of 35.0 points, 13.8 rebounds and 10 assists per game, giving him a triple-digit average for the series to date.
As if that weren’t enough, Jokic also shoots an incredible 47.1 percent from three-point range to pair with a sky-high 57.5 percent field target ratio. It’s very likely that the series will last seven games, but if it does, Denver can enjoy the fact that Nikola Jokic is playing the best basketball of his career.
Can the Nuggets make it to the Finals?
With the way the Joker plays, the Nuggets have a legitimate chance at making their first-ever NBA Finals appearance. Especially if Jamal Murray can get back to being more consistent and pick up a solid 15-18 points on the night from their third choice, Michael Porter. Denver’s defense has also shown its ability to contain the league’s best players in spurts this postseason as well.
Kevin Durant hasn’t had the best series by his standards, but guys like Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun also deserve credit for the work they’ve done guarding the superstar throughout the series. It’s going to be a tough job no matter what, but the Denver Nuggets have the best chance ever in their franchise history of making it to the NBA Finals the way their superstar played.