There’s no stopping Nikola Jokic in this postseason.
In Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Jokic became the first player in NBA history to score 30+ points, 20+ rebounds and 10+ assists in a Finals game.
Jokic finished with 32 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists as the Denver Nuggets edged past the Miami Heat 109-94 to give Denver a 2-1 lead.
Asked how much statistical work it means to him, the two-time MVP gave Jokic’s perfect answer: “Honestly, not much. I’m glad we won the match.”
It was his tenth triple-double in these playoffs, extending his single-season record.
Jokic is also responsible for three of the five 30-20-10 games ever, with two of those games in the postseason. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970) and Wilt Chamberlain (1967) each own one.
More triple-double history was made when Jamal Murray grabbed his 10th rebound with nine seconds left in the game. Murray finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, making Jokic and Murray the first teammates in NBA history (regular season or playoffs) to record 30-point triple-doubles in the same game.
“By far, it was their greatest performance as a duo in seven years together,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after his team’s victory over Denver’s first title.
“Total coffee junkie. Tv ninja. Unapologetic problem solver. Beer expert.”