Before he was an NBA champion and two-time league MVP, Nikola Jokić was hard at work becoming a triple-double savant. Although he had yet to begin his reign as annual league leader in triple-doubles, the Joker was starting to show flashes of his all-around brilliance on a nightly basis. Against the Milwaukee Bucks in his third season, Jokić did his standard little bit of everything, but what stuck out was the speed in which he compiled his 10th triple-double of the season. Jokić’s versatility was on full display in the first half as he connected on a midrange pull-up and a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer while also spinning his way to a driving layup in traffic. He facilitated for his teammates in a variety of ways, whipping a pass down low for an easy layup, dishing a swing pass for an open triple and making a no-look, behind-the-back pass look effortless. Just over a year after recording his first career triple-double in Milwaukee, Jokić logged the fastest triple-double in NBA history, achieving the feat with 1:54 to go before halftime in 14 minutes, 33 seconds of game time. He broke the previous record of 17 minutes that had stood since 1955, and ended up with 30 points, 15 rebounds and 17 assists in Denver’s 134-123 win on February 15, 2018.

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić sets NBA record with triple-double logged in 14 minutes

What a storybook season it was for two-time Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokić. The Joker was the driving force behind Denver’s first championship, setting career-highs in field-goal percentage and assists per game while averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists across 69 games. His 29 regular season triple-doubles were 15 more than anyone else, and he posted 10 more in 20 playoff games where he again nearly averaged a triple-double. He now has 105 career regular season triple-doubles and another 16 in the postseason, already ranking him in the top-six all-time in both categories. The 2022-23 season marked Jokić’s fifth straight year on an All-NBA team — two on the Second Team and three on the First. While he fell just short of a third straight MVP award — finishing runner-up to Joel Embiid — Jokić made up for it by being named MVP of both the Western Conference and NBA Finals. During the regular season Jokić became the first player since 1968 to post a 35-point, 25-rebound, 10-assist game, as well as the third in NBA history to record a 40-15-15 game. In his eighth season, Jokić passed Alex English as Denver’s franchise leader in assists and also became the first player in NBA history to lead a postseason in total points, rebounds and assists. 

Nikola Jokić remix celebrates 2022-23 All-NBA season

On a nightly basis, Nikola Jokić makes the difficult look routine. The two-time reigning MVP has something special planned for the Houston Rockets, catching the ball in the post before burying a turnaround baseline jumper in rhythm on just one foot. The four-time All-Star tormented the Rockets all night, scoring 32 points on 11-of-17 shooting — his third time hitting 30 points in the past four games — while also grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out eight assists in the Denver Nuggets’ 129-113 victory on November 28, 2022.

Nikola Jokić curls into corner and fires turnaround jumper

Creative playmakers live to set up others but that doesn’t mean they can’t get their own buckets, too. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic catches a pass as he trails up the floor then lobs a pass off the backboard to himself for an uncontested alley-oop lay-in against the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on June 7, 2021.

Nikola Jokić throws alley-oop to self off glass in 2021 Playoffs

“Nikola Jokić. League MVP for a reason.” Kevin Durant narrates one from his favorite plays of the season from the game-changing Denver Nuggets center as Jokić gets open for an inbound pass, catches it at the top of the perimeter, quickly squares up and fires a high-flying triple over the Portland Trail Blazers’ Jusuf Nurkić. The reigning MVP notched 28 points and flirted with a triple double in an emphatic win at home on November 14, 2021.

Nikola Jokić drains deep three to beat end of quarter buzzer

Those handles! Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets goes behind the back not once, but twice, on his way to the hoop for an easy layup against the Sacramento Kings on December 29, 2019.

Nikola Jokić toys with Kings defense en route to the hoop

Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić needs only a quick moment to make a play - if you take your eyes off of him for one second, he’ll make you pay. Jokić makes a full pivot on the perimeter, then stops and spots a cutting LeBron James for a reverse, alley-oop flush. In his fourth All-Star appearance, Jokić had an impressive line of 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in Team LeBron’s 163-160 win over Team Durant on February 20, 2022.

Nikola Jokić floats lob pass to LeBron James in 2022 All-Star Game

It’s not just the vision that sets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic apart, it’s the skill to execute his ideas. Jokic makes eye contact with a streaking JaMychal Green then laces a perfectly spun, one-handed bounce pass up the court without breaking stride. Green finished with an open flush against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 5, 2021.

Nikola Jokić whips transition bounce pass up floor for dunk

The Orlando Magic had their sights set on overtime in the Mile High City. Nikola Jokić had other plans. Following an Orlando free throw that tied the game, the two-time reigning MVP stationed himself at the top of the key and waited for his moment to arrive. When Jamal Murray hit Jokić with a pass just inside the arc, the Joker took one dribble backward and drilled the step-back triple over Franz Wagner just before the buzzer to deliver the Denver Nuggets their 13th consecutive home victory. Jokić tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists for his 12th triple-double of the season as the Nuggets prevailed 119-116 on January 15, 2023.

Nikola Jokić sinks Magic with casual game-winning rainbow three

Whether he’s scoring points in bunches or using his gravity to set up an open teammate, Denver Nuggets big Nikola Jokić has the code to crack any defense. With the Nuggets needing one more bucket to seal the game and extend their season, the reigning MVP rolls after a screen, receives a pass and goes straight into a Eurostep before delivering an on-the-money dime to a wide-open Will Barton in the corner. Jokić put on a show for the Denver crowd with 37 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three triples in a 126-121 win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the First Round on April 24, 2022.

Nikola Jokić hits teammate with crafty dime in 2022 Playoffs

It’s post up time with Mr. Jokić! Denver Nuggets star big man Nikola Jokić flexes some fancy footwork in the key before draining a sweet rainbow jumper against playoff rivals the Utah Jazz on September 1, 2020.

Nikola Jokić pivots into stepback floater in 2020 Playoffs

Even if you knew what Nikola Jokic was about to do next, good luck trying to stop it. The bruising Denver Nuggets center works against his defender with his back to the basket then pivots into a hook shot in a 50-point showing against the Sacramento Kings on February 6, 2021.

Nikola Jokić posts up and spins into push shot in midst of 50-point night

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Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić