By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic became the second-fastest player with 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, and 3,000 assists in the NBA Regular Season Wednesday evening. He made the 10,000 points club in his 516th appearance, all with the Denver Nuggets. Larry Bird needed 515 games for his first 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, and 3.000 assists.
Jokic, 27, scored his 10,000th point by sinking a free throw with 3:29 left in the third quarter as the Nuggets cruised past the Washington Wizards and jumped to 43-26 in the 2021-22 Regular Season. Shortly after, he checked out with 29 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block in just 26 minutes.
“There is no easy one for us,” he mentioned after the game despite sitting the entire fourth quarter with a comfortable lead in place, “I think we are working for every game, and to be honest that’s how it’s supposed to be. I think there is no easy game for us.”
The reigning MVP ranks fourth overall in the Nuggets‘ all-time scoring list. His 10,001 points trail Alex English (21,645), Dan Issel (14,659), and Carmelo Anthony (13,970). He must go through a few more seasons to improve his current position.
Immediate plans include securing the best possible Western Conference seed ahead of the 2022 Playoffs. His side sits sixth, the lowest point of direct entries to the postseason. The 42-28 record edges the seventh-placed Minnesota Timberwolves and trails the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks by 1.5 games in both directions.
The Nuggets are set to wrap up a three-game road trip facing the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. From there, eight of the last 11 games of the Regular Season schedule will be held at Ball Arena.
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