Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic became the first player since Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird to shoot at least 50% from the field and average 43 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and five steals in a single game.
In the Nuggets’ 141-128 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, the four-time All-Star eclipsed that stat line in just 33 minutes. He also finished 17 of 20 (85%) shooting from the floor.
Nikola Jokic has the fifth best odds to win the MVP in 2023 at several NBA betting sites. A few sportsbooks are projecting big chances for Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Tonight’s Joke:
43 PTS
14 REB
8 AST
4 STL
17-20 FGFirst player to go 43/14/8/4 with 50 FG% since Larry Bird. Jokic shot 85% tonight. pic.twitter.com/0K2eSeaTo0
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 15, 2022
In fact, Jokic is the first player in NBA history to post a stat line of 43/14/8/5 on 85% shooting. On December 10, in Denver’s 115-110 win over the Utah Jazz, the center recorded his 80th career triple-double. He had 31 points, 12 rebounds, 14 assists and four blocks in 36 minutes.
“I was spinning. After Jokic scored a career-high 43 points, guys were looking for me. “I played with Will [Barton] Since I came here. Wes [Unseld Jr.] He is a very good person, he is a very good friend of mine. And Monte, he and I had a great relationship the whole time he was here.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is the first player since Larry Bird to shoot at least 50% from the field with a 43/14/8/5 stat line.
In the year He shot 60.1% from the field.
In 24 starts this season, Jokic is averaging 24.6 points, 10.3 boards, 9.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Additionally, he shot 30.5% from downtown and a career-best 63.4% from the floor.
Nikola Jokic:
“I played with Will [Barton] Ever since I came here. Wes [Unseld Jr.] He is a very good person, he is a very good friend of mine. And Monte, he and I had a great relationship the whole time he was here.
So you will always be in my heart.#New Year #Wizards pic.twitter.com/lrIi519kqo
— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) December 15, 2022
Not to mention, the two-time MVP has recorded 18 double-doubles and four triple-doubles so far this season. Last season, Jokic led the NBA with a total of 19 triple-doubles.
Currently, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic leads the league with six triples. However, both Doncic and Nikola Jokic trail Jayson Tatum in MVP odds right now.
More than a quarter of the way through the 2022-23 season, the Nuggets are 17-10 and in third place overall in the Western Conference standings. With an eight-year veteran, Denver is one of the best teams in the West.
