Nikola Jokic records fastest triple-double in NBA history
Nikola Jokic’s rise as an NBA superstar got a huge boost on Thursday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Denver Nuggets’ center in his third year of pro basketball just did something the league has never seen before, recording the fastest triple-double in NBA history.
Jokic finished the Nuggets’ 134-123 victory over the Bucks with 30 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds — the vast majority of which came well before halftime. The Serbian reached a triple-double in 14 minutes and 33 seconds on the floor, smashing Jim Tucker’s record of fastest triple-double of 17 minutes.
Only 2 other players in NBA history have had a 30 pt, 17 assist and 15 reb game:
James Harden in 2016 and Magic Johnson in 1981
And now this gem pic.twitter.com/Fx7biYxsCv
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 16, 2018
It get crazier. Not only did Jokic’s time surpass the likes of Tucker, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Magic Johnson, he’s the only true center on the list.
Nikola Jokic reached a triple-double with 1:54 left in the second quarter.
That's the fastest triple-double in the NBA in the past 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/kCy9a03ZGn
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 16, 2018
It takes a lot to overshadow a 36-point, 13-assist, 11-rebound night from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jokic made it seem like they weren’t even playing the same game. The center shot 11-of-14 from the floor, including 3-of-3 from behind the arc, and was a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line.
Oh yeah, it’s also Jokic’s second triple-double in as many games after going for 23 points, 11 assists and 13 rebounds against San Antonio on Tuesday and his third triple-double in his last seven outings.
In other words, Jokic was on fire in every aspect of his game. And, boy, is that a scary performance for the rest of the league to witness heading into the All-Star break.
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Blake Schuster is a writer for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Schustee