Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic Joins Russell Westbrook in NBA History

A high-scoring sport between the Denver Nuggets and the Dallas Mavericks gave Nikola Jokic a lot to work with.

The veteran middle put collectively a signature efficiency, posting a triple-double in 38 minutes of motion towards the rookie phenom Cooper Flagg and the struggling Mavericks.

As Jokic collected his thirtieth triple-double of the season, he matched his former teammate, Russell Westbrook, in changing into one of many solely gamers in NBA historical past with a number of seasons of triple-doubles.

by way of ESPN Insights: Nikola Jokic will get his thirtieth triple-double of the season 👑 Jokic joins Russell Westbrook as the one gamers in NBA historical past with 30 triple-doubles in a number of seasons.

DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 10: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets seems to be for a foul name towards the Portland Trail Blazers in the third quarter at Ball Arena on February 10, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Nikola Jokic Joins Russell Westbrook In NBA History

Jokic checked in for 38 minutes and shot 8-19 from the sphere towards the Mavs. I’ve scored 23 factors. The veteran middle had a spectacular passing sport, allotting 19 assists, whereas turning the ball over simply eleven.

On the defensive finish of the ground, Jokic got here up with one steal and secured 21 rebounds. He helped the Nuggets take down Dallas with a rating of 142-135.

Russell Westbrook is the triple-double king in the NBA. He has 209 complete, beating out Oscar Robertson’s 181 file years in the past.

At this level, Robertson is third in NBA historical past, as Jokic beat him out to get to 193.

gettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings seems to be on towards the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on December 30, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

When it involves 30-plus triple-doubles in a single season, Westbrook has three beneath his belt. He first achieved it in 2016-2017, breaking an NBA file with 42 triple-doubles in one yr.

In 2018-2019, Westbrook secured 34 triple-doubles. The final time he did it was throughout the 2020-2021 NBA season, when he racked up 38 triple-doubles.

As for Jokic, he had 34 triple-doubles throughout the 2024-2025 NBA season. He’s obtained a handful of video games left to beat his personal file this yr.

Heading into Wednesday evening’s sport, Jokic had appeared in 57 matchups for the Nuggets. He is producing a mean of 27.9 factors per sport, whereas taking pictures 57.3% from the sphere, and flattening 38.3% of his threes.

Jokic is main the NBA in rebounds (12.7) and assists (10.7) per sport.

With Wednesday’s win over the Mavericks, the Nuggets improved to 46-28. They are the fourth seed in the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Lakers have a 1.5-game lead over the Nuggets.

The subsequent time Jokic and the Nuggets are set to return to the court docket is on Friday, March 27. They will tackle the Utah Jazz at house. The Nuggets will shut out the week with one other house sport towards the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, overlaying trending league information, transactions, accidents, and participant developments. He is a credentialed journalist with practically a decade of insider entry. More about Justin Grasso