Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic recorded the NBA’s ninth 35-point triple-double with at the very least 5 steals in Monday night time’s 125-119 win over the Toronto Raptors.
The six-time All-Star heart amassed 35 factors, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, six steals, and two blocks in 38 minutes of motion. He completed 14-of-26 (53.8%) taking pictures from the ground and made all six free throws.
Per a couple of NBA betting websites, Jokic stays the front-runner to win his third MVP award. Sportsbooks are nonetheless exhibiting nice odds for Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Nikola Jokić tonight: 35 factors, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, 6 steals 🔥
This was simply the ninth 35-point triple-double with 5+ steals in our database.#NBA ⎹ #Nuggets pic.twitter.com/7DePucIvO5
— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) March 12, 2024
Denver rallied within the last minutes of the third to chop a 21-point deficit to 98-93. The Raptors’ largest lead was 22 factors. It was Jokic’s twenty first triple-double of the season and 126th total.
Jokic trails solely Domantas Sabonis (22) in triple-doubles this season. Luka Doncic (17) is third, adopted by Giannis Antetokounmpo (8), Scottie Barnes (4), Josh Hart (3), LeBron James (3), Bam Adebayo (2), Anthony Davis (2), Joel Embiid (2), and different stars.
Nikola Jokic’s twenty first triple-double of the season helped the Denver Nuggets overcome a 21-point deficit
“He simply does a extremely good job of anticipating and enjoying the angles,” stated Jamal Murray, who added 26 factors and 12 assists. “It’s much less about being within the spot, he’s enjoying the angle and the road of the go. Shout out to Jok.”
The Nuggets outscored Toronto 42-30 within the third quarter. Toronto was additionally held to 21 factors within the last body. Denver shot 52-of-95 (54.7%) from the sphere and 10-of-29 (34.5%) from 3-point vary.
“You possibly can’t commerce baskets while you’re down 20, so one thing’s acquired to enhance,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone stated. “We lastly acquired protection again into the sport.”
Gamers with a 35/15/10/5 Recreation:
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
— George McGinnis
— Terry Cummings
— Nikola Jokic (Final Evening)Jokic first ever along with his stat line pic.twitter.com/DgNwyYFp8P
— Hoop Muse (@HoopMuse) March 12, 2024
By way of 63 video games (all begins) this season, Jokic is averaging 26.2 factors, 12.3 rebounds , 9.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 34.3 minutes per sport whereas taking pictures 58.2% from the ground and 34.9% past the arc.
In Denver’s 113-104 victory in opposition to the Washington Wizards on Jan. 21, the middle notched a season-high 42 factors, 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks in 36 minutes performed.
The nine-year veteran leads the NBA in participant effectivity ranking (31.5), win shares (13.6), field plus/minus (13.7), defensive field plus/minus (4.4), and worth over alternative participant (8.6).
Denver visits the Miami Warmth on Wednesday night time.