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Nuggets' Nikola Jokic closer to all-time triple-double record
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Nuggets' Nikola Jokic closer to record after triple-double against Pelicans

With his second triple-double of the season, Nikola Jokic further etched his name into NBA history as he inches closer to a record. 

In leading the Denver Nuggets to a 104-91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night, Jokic scored 21 points while bringing down 13 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists. His latest triple-double awarded him a major career milestone, too. 

Nikola Jokic has reached a level only one player has achieved before 

Jokic became only the second player to ever reach 200 career triple-doubles, now only trailing current record holder and his former teammate Russell Westbrook's 209 for the most in league history. 

And based on what he normally produces and what he delivered in 2025-26 — he had 34 triple-doubles last season— Jokic should pass Westbrook at some point in the 2026-27 campaign. 

While Denver is only 2-2 as a team, Jokic is already putting together an early-season case as an MVP candidate.

So far through four games, Jokic is also just shy of averaging a triple-double overall. He's currently averaging 22.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists.

Jokic will go down as one of the most dominant players in NBA history 

But no matter if he wins another MVP, Jokic's legacy as one of the dominant forces the NBA has ever seen is secured. 

At 31, Jokic is an eight-time All-Star, a six-time All-NBA first-team member, a three-time league MVP, and he was named the 2023 NBA Finals MVP when he led the Nuggets to the franchise's first championship. He even led the entire NBA in rebounds and assists last season. 

So it's not "if" Jokic breaks Westbrook's record, but when it happens that's the question now looming over the 6-foot-11 Serbian beast. 

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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