Nikola Jokić has once again redefined what it means to dominate a basketball game — and do it with the ultimate unselfishness. In the Denver Nuggets’ thrilling 149-141 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns, the three-time MVP delivered a performance for the ages, becoming the first player in NBA history to record at least 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 20 assists in a single game.
Jokić finished the night with a jaw-dropping 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists, cementing his legacy as one of the most versatile and impactful players the league has ever seen.
The Serbian superstar still needed one more assist for the historic 30-20-20 mark with less than 90 seconds remaining in overtime — and in true Jokić fashion, he wasted no time. In a span of just 27 seconds, he dished out three assists, each leading to easy buckets and ultimately slamming the door on the Suns’ comeback hopes.
When asked about his record-breaking performance in a postgame interview, Jokić stayed true to his humble nature. “It’s gonna be nice to go finish my career, on my couch, and think I had a really good game,” he said with a smile.
A Career Defined by Unmatched Feats
As the NBA moves into its fourth quarter-century, Jokić continues to rack up achievements never before seen in the history of the game. His latest 30-20-20 masterpiece is just one of several historic marks in his already legendary career:
- First player with at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a season
- First player to lead the entire NBA in total points, rebounds, and assists in a single postseason
- First player to notch 10+ triple-doubles in seven consecutive seasons (now eight and counting)
- First player to post a 30-20-10 stat line in an NBA Finals game
- First player to record a 20-15-15 line in under 30 minutes of play
- First Denver Nuggets player to win the NBA MVP award
And his dominance shows no signs of slowing down. Jokić is once again in serious contention for the league’s MVP award, which would be his fourth — a feat achieved by only five other players in NBA history: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, LeBron James, and Wilt Chamberlain.
Keeping Denver in the Title Hunt
Despite the Nuggets losing several key veterans from their 2023 championship team, Jokić has kept Denver firmly in the race for Western Conference supremacy. Following this historic performance, the Nuggets improved to second place in the West and became the only team in the league with a perfect 5-0 record in overtime games this season.
As Jokić continues to break records and elevate his team with his unselfish style of play, the question isn’t just how far the Nuggets can go this season — it’s how many more unprecedented feats the Joker will achieve along the way.
One thing’s for sure: we’re all witnesses to one of the greatest all-around players the game has ever seen.
