NBA Notebook: Nikola Jokic reaches new milestone; Suns edge out Lakers
The Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic has reached a new milestone by becoming the ninth player in NBA history to reach 50 or more triple doubles, thanks to his impressive performance in his side’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.
Jokic who is having an impressive season, with an average of 27 points and 11 rebounds per game so far, posted 37 points, recorded 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the win, and is now behind the likes of James Harden and Larry Bird on the ladder.
Oscar Robertson leads the most triple double chart with 181, followed by Russell Westbrook with 156, Magic Johnson with 138, and Jason Kid with 107.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is in fifth place with 97 career triple doubles while Wilt Chamberlain is on 78, Larry Bird on 59 and James Harden on 53.
37 PTS
11 AST
10 REBAdvertisementAdvertisementRecords his 50th triple-double on the second night of a back-to-back.
Nikola Jokić, ladies and gentlemen 👏#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/8Ee4b0YadR
Advertisement— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 3, 2021
Last night’s triple double also saw Nikola Jokic becoming just the second center in league history to drop 50 of them, after Wilt Chamberlain.
Nikola’s stat comes as more impressive as he achieved the feat in just 416 games as compared to Chamberlain’s 703.
Nikola Jokic’s historic night propelled his side to a 128-97 blowout victory over the Bucks, representing their fourth win in five games.
In the other matchups for the night, the Los Angeles lost 104-114 to the Phoenix Suns. LeBron James posted 38 points for the Lakers but it was not enough to defeat the Suns who had Devin Booker ejected in the third quarter.
March 2, Final Scores/Leaders:
Grizzlies – 125 Wizards – 111
Morant: 35 Pts. Morant: 10 Asts. Valanciunas: 16 Rebs./Westbrook: 23 Pts. Westbrook: 15 Asts. Avdija: 7 Rebs.
Clippers – 112 Celtics – 117
George: 32 Pts. Jackson: 7 Asts. Zubac: 10 Rebs./Walker: 25 Pts. Walker: 6 Asts. Thompson: 9 Rebs.
Hawks – 94 Heat – 80
Young: 18 Pts. Young: 10 Asts. Capela: 17 Rebs./Dragic: 14 Pts. Dragic: 4 Asts. Olynyk: 6 Rebs.
Knicks – 93 Spurs – 119
Quickley: 26 Pts. Randle: 5 Asts. Noel: 12 Rebs./Lyles: 18 Pts. DeRozan: 11 Asts. Poeltl: 8 Rebs.
Nuggets – 128 Bucks – 97
Nikola Jokic: 37 Pts. Jokic: 11 Asts. Jokic: 10 Rebs./Antetokounmpo: 27 Pts. Middleton: 6 Asts. Antetokounmpo: 8 Rebs.
Suns – 114 Lakers – 104
Saric: 21 Pts. Paul: 10 Asts. Bridges: 6 Rebs./James: 38 Pts. James: 6 Asts. Morris: 6 Rebs.