By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic’s latest individual achievement was overshadowed by the Denver Nuggets‘ disappointing showing on Thursday. The Cleveland Cavaliers improved to 20-3 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season by overcoming the Joker and slamming the Nuggets, 126-114, in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
The Serbian superstar finished with 27 points alongside 20 rebounds and 11 assists for his 139th triple-double in the NBA. Playing nearly 39 minutes, he also recorded three steals. He ended up with 13/26 field goals.
“I think I was missing really easy ones,” he reacted to his shooting, “Maybe I was forcing it, I don’t know.”
“I think 20 games in we should know who we are and we should know what we’re supposed to do,” added Jokic referring to the team coached by Michael Malone being forced down to 11-9 by the leaders of the NBA standings.
At 139 career triple-doubles, he passed Magic Johnson on the all-time list and sat alone in third place. The 29-year-old big only trails Oscar Robertson’s 181 and current teammate Russell Westbrook’s 200.
🇷🇸😤 After a MONSTROUS triple-double, Nikola Jokic passes Magic Johnson moving to 3rd all time in triple-doubles list!
🔺🇷🇸 Nikola Jokic – 139
🔻🇺🇲 Magic Johnson -138👀Jokic’s unbelievable performance wasn’t enough for Nuggets to win Cavs! pic.twitter.com/4oPIIaoFNl
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) December 6, 2024
“It’s something that you probably going to look at after you finish your career. Right now, you don’t even think about it. But it’s great, really nice,” he commented.
Limited to ten appearances this season, Croatian Dario Saric stayed on the bench against the Cavs.
Sidelined for nearly three weeks, Slovenian Vlatko Cancar remained on the injury list, shortly following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. He is set to be re-evaluated in eight weeks.