Nikola Jokic continues to rewrite the NBA record books at a pace that truly feels illegal. During the Denver Nuggets' stunning 128-125 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday night, the Serbian center officially tied the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's mark, and he did it in almost halftime.
Entering the contest at the Delta Center, Jokic was just one game shy of breaking the record for most games with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in NBA history. After a hard-fought 36 minutes on the floor, he walked away with exactly 22 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. This performance is the 322nd 20/10/5 game of his career, which brings him level with the captain.
The most astonishing part of this achievement is not just the output, but also the efficiency. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar needed 1,560 games to set that mark. Jokic has reached this peak in only 792 games. While Jamal Murray made headlines on the night with a big 45-point explosion, including eight triples and the go-ahead free throw, Jokic's steady hand kept the Nuggets afloat as they held off a late Jazz rally.
Despite the depleted roster, Utah didn't make it easy. Keyonte George exploded for 36 points and nearly forced overtime, but Jokic remained composed under pressure. Despite five fouls late in the fourth quarter, he managed to secure the board and hit two clutch free throws with six seconds remaining to seal the win.
Denver has relied heavily on its superstars this season and Jokic has not disappointed. He currently leads the league in rebounds and assists, looking like the favorite for another MVP trophy. Now with the record tied, all eyes are on Thursday's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. If history is any indication, Jokic won't be tied down for long.
