Nikola Jokic’s Historic Three-Game Streak Bolsters MVP Case
Nikola Jokic, the star player of the Denver Nuggets, has been on fire lately, delivering a series of outstanding performances that have strengthened his case for a third MVP award. In his latest game against the Golden State Warriors, Jokic led his team to a resounding 119-103 victory with an impressive stat line of 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists. This remarkable performance is just the latest in a historic three-game stretch that has solidified his position as a frontrunner for the prestigious MVP title.
Jokic’s exceptional run of form has coincided with a three-game winning streak for the defending champions, who now boast a season record of 39-19. With this recent surge, the Nuggets find themselves just 1.5 games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder in the intense race for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Despite his extraordinary achievements on the court, Jokic’s teammates failed to acknowledge his birthday with any gifts. However, this minor setback did not deter him from showcasing his unique brilliance once again. Let’s delve into the numbers that highlight his incredible three-game stretch: 27.3, 16.7, 15.0. These figures represent Jokic’s averages over the past three games: 27.3 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 15 assists. Moreover, he has maintained an impressive shooting percentage of 68.6% from the field, further solidifying his reputation as an incredibly efficient player. What sets Jokic apart is his consistency, which has been on full display throughout this remarkable run.
Let’s take a closer look at his performances in each game:
– February 22nd vs. Washington Wizards: Jokic recorded 21 points (10-of-10 FG), 19 rebounds, and 15 assists.
– February 23rd vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Jokic tallied 29 points (12-of-17 FG), 15 rebounds, and 14 assists.
– February 25th vs. Golden State Warriors: Jokic delivered his biggest scoring night of this period, putting up 32 points (13-of-24 FG), along with 16 rebounds and 16 assists.
If we consider the total numbers, Jokic has amassed an impressive 82 points, 50 rebounds, and 45 assists across these three games. This feat places him in elite company, as he becomes only the second player in NBA history to achieve at least 80 points, 50 rebounds, and 45 assists in a three-game span. The first player to accomplish this remarkable feat was Wilt Chamberlain back in March 1968.
Jokic’s exceptional passing ability has always been his strongest attribute, and his recent performances have only solidified this reputation. Following the win against the Warriors, he currently ranks fourth in the league for assists per game with an average of 9.3. Additionally, he sits in fourth place for potential assists per game at 14.8. Throughout this hot streak, Jokic’s teammates have been instrumental in helping him rack up assists by consistently converting their shots. Notably, he has recorded at least 14 assists in each of the three games. Furthermore, Jokic has made history by becoming the first player ever to achieve at least 14 rebounds and 14 assists in three consecutive games.
The victory over the Warriors marked Jokic’s most significant scoring performance during this period, as he notched an impressive 32 points. This accomplishment marked his 18th game of the season with at least 30 points, further solidifying his status as a dominant scorer. Moreover, it was his third career game with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain’s record of two such games. Only Oscar Robertson, with 11 such games, has more in NBA history.
Jokic’s triple-double against the Warriors was his 18th of the season and the 139th of his career. This achievement propelled him past LeBron James to claim the fourth spot on the NBA’s all-time triple-double leaderboard, including playoffs. Only Russell Westbrook (210), Oscar Robertson (189), and Magic Johnson (168) have recorded more triple-doubles than Jokic.
In the first game of this remarkable three-game stretch, Jokic achieved a triple-double in the Nuggets’ comfortable victory over the Washington Wizards. With this accomplishment, he became the only player in NBA history to record a triple-double against all 29 other teams in the league. The only other players who have achieved this feat are LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, who also possess triple-doubles against every team they have faced.
Nikola Jokic’s recent performances have undeniably bolstered
