Nikola โขJokiฤ: Triple-Doubles Continue to Flow Even as Scoring Takes a Backseat
Denver, CO – Nikola Jokiฤ, the Denver Nuggets’ three-time MVP, is off to another historically notable start to the NBA season. While his scoring and โฃthree-point shooting haven’t quite reached their usual heights, the Serbian superstar is demonstrating that his all-around dominance remains firmlyโ intact.
Jokiฤ delivered a commandingโฃ 25 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in Monday night’s โ127-114 victory over the โคMinnesota Timberwolves, marking his third โข triple-double in as โmany games. this astonishing feat places him in exceedingly rare company.
According to NBC Sports, only two other players in NBA history have begun a season with โฃthree consecutive triple-doubles: Oscar Robertson (1960-61) and Russell โWestbrook (2020-21). โ Notably, Robertson and Westbrook are also the only players to have ever averaged a triple-double for anโ entire โseasonโข -โฃ Robertson achieving it once,โ and Westbrook four times inโ five years (2015-2021). Jokiฤ himself accomplished the feat last season,a testamentโ to his consistent brilliance.
With his latest performance, Jokiฤ now boasts 167 career triple-doubles,โฃ further โsolidifying his place among the league’s all-time greats.
A Shift โขin Focus, Not aโค Decline in Impact
The Nuggets have assembled a retooled roster designed to distribute the scoring load, potentially easing the pressure on Jokiฤ, โขwho averaged a career-best 29.6โ points per game last season. โฃ Early returns suggest a strategic shift, with Jokiฤ prioritizing playmaking and rebounding.
Through the first three games, Jokiฤ’s scoring has indeed seen a slight โขdip. โคHe struggled from beyond the arc in a hard-fought overtime loss to the Golden state โWarriors (2-of-13 from three), and in aโข win against the โPhoenix Suns, heโ focused onโ facilitating, racking up 14 rebounds and a remarkable 15โ assists while attempting only eight field goals.โค
Monday’s game against the Timberwolves -โฃ playing without Anthony Edwardsโค – sawโค Jokiฤ efficiently score 25 points on 9-of-10 shooting,without attemptingโค a single three-pointer.He appears content to let the game come to him, and to capitalize on opportunities inside.
Currently,
