Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic showed Friday night why he’s a three-time MVP.
Jokic put up an unprecedented triple-double of 31 points, 21 rebounds and 22 assists in the Nuggets’ 149-141 overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns. No NBA player had ever put up a 30-20-20 stat line.
He got the opportunity to make history after Kevin Durant forced overtime with a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Suns had just 1.1 seconds to tie after Christian Braun hit a 3-pointer to give the Nuggets the lead.
Jokic added five assists and scored six points in the extra session to lead Denver to victory. His 22 assists were a career high, per ESPN’s broadcast.
‘Nikola Jokic is one of one,’ Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. ‘… I can’t describe him, so don’t ask me to. The guy is just an incredible player.
‘When you are one of one in this league — and the tremendous history of this league — that says a lot. There’s a lot of good players in this league but Nikola, in my opinion, is just in a class all by himself.’
Nikola Jokic stats tonight
Points: 31
FG: 13-for-22
3PT: 3-for-7
FT: 2-for-3
Rebounds: 21
Assists: 22
Steals: 3
Blocks: 0
Turnovers: 4
Fouls: 3
Minutes played: 45
Nikola Jokic highlights vs. Suns
This story has been updated with new information.
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