Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic only put up 25 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists in the Nuggets’ 116-93 win over the visiting Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
Only.
For most NBA players, that line would be exceptional. And, objectively, it is. But Jokic, 31, is closing in on completing his second straight season averaging a triple-double. The bar for Jokic is different.
Indiana Fever star and two-time WNBA All-Star Caitlin Clark set it as high as it could be while part of NBC’s broadcast team ahead of Sunday’s game at Ball Arena in Denver.
“I mean, there’s not many people that average a triple-double,” Clark said. “You’re lucky enough to maybe get a couple of those in a season. He’s done it all year long in back-to-back years. So, it’s pretty incredible. Honestly, he’s probably my favorite player to watch, and I think he’s the best player in the world.”
During his postgame press conference, Jokic responded to Clark’s compliment in the most Jokic way possible.
“We have the same agent. That’s why she said it,” Jokic said with a mischievous laugh before breaking into laughter.
For the record: Jokic and Clark are both represented by Excel Sports Management, but Jokic is also represented by Beobasket Sports Agency’s Misko Raznatovic, and Clark has been repped by Erin Kane of Excel Sports Management.
Jokic has won the NBA MVP three times (2021, 2022, 2024). He led Denver to its first championship in 2023 and won NBA Finals MVP for his trouble.
Jokic currently leads all NBA players in assists (10.8 per game) and rebounds (12.9 per game) while also averaging 27.9 points across 60 games.
Heading into Monday’s action, Denver is 48-28 and the fourth seed in the Western Conference with six regular-season games remaining. The NBA playoffs start on April 18.