Nikola Jokic recorded his 100th career triple-double as the Denver Nuggets rolled to a 133-112 wire-to victory over the host Houston Rockets.
Nikola Jokic 6th player with 100 career triple-doubles
Jokic registered 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in three quarters of action to become the sixth player in NBA history to reach 100.
Jokic’s tip-in with 5:21 remaining in the third quarter allowed him to reach the milestone.
Jokic has 24 triple-doubles this season, including 15 in his last 20 games. The Nuggets are 24-0 when the two-time reigning NBA MVP records a triple-double this season.
He seemed nonplussed by the accomplishment, calling it “nice” and when pushed to note the rarity of what he’d just done, he deferred to the team.
“I appreciate how we played,” he said. “That’s what I appreciate. But all the, let’s say achievements, awards, contracts or whatever, it’s just — I don’t want to say coming naturally — but you don’t chase it. Also It’s really nice. I think it’s going to be the best when you finish (your) career and just look behind you and see what you did.”
He joins Russell Westbrook (198), Oscar Robertson (181), Magic Johnson (138), Jason Kidd (107) and LeBron James (106) as the only players to have accomplished the feat.
Also there wasn’t any hint of a celebration in the locker room after his big night. He sat alone at his locker with an ice pack on his back as he ate popcorn from a small box by pouring it directly into his mouth.
The only evidence of the two-time MVP’s milestone was that game ball in his locker that his teammates signed to commemorate the moment.
“I think all of us in Denver — I challenge myself to do this — should never take him for granted, never take his greatness for granted,” Malone said. “Because I grew up in this business… and things can change quickly so I make sure I appreciate everything he does.
“And for him to be mentioned with all these historical accomplishments just reminds you that we are so blessed to have a guy like Nikola, who is as talented as he is, who accomplishes all these things on the court, but the most important and impressive thing about Nikola is with that he’s so humble.”
The hapless Rockets were done in by a balanced scoring attack by the Nuggets, a game after allowing Damian Lillard to score a career-high 71 points in a loss to the Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Michael Porter Jr. added 17 points and Bruce Brown had 15 off the bench to help the Nuggets to their second consecutive victory and sixth in the last seven games.
Jalen Green had 17 points in his return after missing two games with a strained left groin and rookie Tari Eason also scored 17 as the Rockets dropped their 10th in a row.
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