Nov 6, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) calls out in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic Makes NBA History in Denver Nuggets vs. OKC Thunder

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated Nov 7, 2024 6:30 PM ET

Nikola Jokic has written his name in countless record books across his 10-year NBA career while winning three league MVPs and winning the NBA Championship in 2023. However, on Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jokic joined elite company with his impressive statistical performance that helped the Denver Nuggets capture their fifth win of the season.

In the 124-122 win over the Thunder on Wednesday, Jokic posted an impressive stat line of 23 points, 20 rebounds, and 16 assists to give him his third triple-double of the season. With that performance, Jokic became one of two players over the last 40 seasons to post a stat line of 20+ points, 20+ rebounds, and 15+ assists. The other player? His current teammate Russell Westbrook.

In a class of their own pic.twitter.com/Qe0NHenPxK
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 7, 2024

Looking back to when Westbrook put up that stat line, it happened over five years ago on March 2nd, 2019 when he was still on the Oklahoma City Thunder. In a 119-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Westbrook had 20 points, 21 assists and 20 rebounds.

"That's for Nipsey!"

Russ dedicated his 20-20-20 game to Nipsey Hussle pic.twitter.com/Me7VqLKjoJ
— ESPN (@espn) April 3, 2019

Putting up triple-doubles is no rare occurrence for these two, as Westbrook and Jokic are first and second among active players in triple-doubles. According to StatMuse, Westbrook has 199 and Jokic has 134.

Nikola Jokic this season:

28.8 PPG (5th)
13.5 RPG (1st)
11.0 APG (1st)

Would be the first player in NBA history to lead the league in RPG & APG in the same season. pic.twitter.com/Ds1VtfKZol
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) November 7, 2024

Through eight games this season, Jokic is currently averaging a triple-double with a stat line of 28.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 11.0 assists per game. If he's able to hold up his averages, he would become just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: