Nuggets' Jokic has put together quite the two-game stretch

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Nuggets' Nikola Jokic has put together quite the two-game stretch

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Dec 8, 2024 10:41 PM ET

Just one night after he scored 56 points, Nikola Jokic put together another masterful performance and scored 48 points in the Nuggets' 141-111 win over the Hawks.

The 104 points over two games is the most in the career of Jokic, and he became just the second player in NBA history with back-to-back games of 45+ points, 10+ rebounds and five-plus plus assists.

Nikola Jokic is the first NBA player since Wilt in 1963 to record back-to-back games with:

45+ PTS
10+ REB
5+ AST pic.twitter.com/VgJB5GJx56
— Real Sports (@realapp_) December 9, 2024

The three-time MVP has been excellent again so far this season and has made it known that he will be at the forefront of any MVP conversations for the foreseeable future.

In 18 games played, Jokic leads the NBA in rebounding (13.6) and is second in points per game (31.4) as well as assists per game (10.3).

Players in NBA history to average 30 PPG on 50% FG, 40% 3FG in a season:

Nikola Jokic (so far)
Stephen Curry (unanimous MVP season)

Jokic scored 104 points in the last 24 hours.
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) December 9, 2024

The 48-point performance came in a much-needed victory for Denver after Saturday's loss to the Washington Wizards, who were in the midst of a 16-game losing streak before the victory over Denver.

Jokic stepped up in a big way on Sunday with the absence of Jamal Murray from the starting lineup. Murray is averaging 17.8, which would be his worst season since 2017-18 when he averaged 16.7.

Denver will need Murray to find his groove and return to form if it has any aspirations of making yet another deep run in the NBA playoffs.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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