Denver Nuggets Center Nikola Jokic had a game for the ages last night at home against the Phoenix Suns. He finished with 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists. Jokic’s historic performance helped the Denver Nuggets prevail 149-141 in OT.
Jokic made multiple pieces of history on Friday night. He is the first player in NBA history with a 30-20-20 performance. His 22 assists were also the most ever for a center and Jokic was the first player to have a triple-double in each “half.” In the game’s 53 total minutes, he had a triple-double in each 26:30 of game time. Jokic is putting together another MVP-caliber campaign.
He is third in the league in points per game, third in rebounds, and second in assists. He is on pace to be the first player in NBA history to finish top 3 in PPG, RPG, & APG in a season. Will he continue making history for the Denver Nuggets?
Denver Nuggets Season Summary
Denver has had a strong season. They are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. The Nuggets have been led by their offense this season. They are third in points per game, leading the league in field goal percentage, and third in three-point percentage. Jokic has orchestrated the team’s offense expertly this season.
The issue for the Nuggets this season has been their defense. They are 23rd in points allowed, 14th in opposing field goal percentage, and 20th in opposing three-point percentage. Denver must pair its great offense with an improved defense to reach its full potential.
Final Thoughts
Jokic and the Denver Nuggets return to the for a Sunday matinee on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It will be an important measuring stick for the Nuggets as they will presumably need to go through the Thunder to advance to the NBA Finals.
