On Friday night, Nikola Jokic became the fourth player in NBA history to record 10-plus double-doubles in six different seasons as the Denver Nuggets beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108.
Jokic joins Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Russell Westbrook. The four-time All-Star finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds, 10 rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes. He also shot 10-of-17 (58.8%) from the field and made three 3-pointers.
According to several NBA betting sites, Nikola Jokic is the clear favorite to win the MVP this season. Sportsbooks are giving Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic the second-best odds to win the award.
More history for the Joker.
Nikola Jokic’s 10th triple-double of the season joins Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson as players with 10-plus triple-doubles in 6 separate seasons. pic.twitter.com/byRIVmrME1
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 7, 2023
“Nikola Jokic looks like he can go to the third [straight] MVP,” Cavaliers forward Kevin Love said after the game. Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell won the award three consecutive times (1961–63).
In fact, Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain accomplished the same feat (1966–68). Larry Bird is also the last player to win the award in three consecutive seasons (1984–86).
The Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic became the fourth player to record 10-plus triple-doubles in six different seasons, joining Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook.
Similarly, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jokic have won back-to-back MVP awards this century. A total of 15 players in NBA history have won multiple times. Jokic could become the fourth player to win three consecutive awards.
In 36 starts this season, the four-time All-NBA member is averaging 25.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Not to mention, he shot a career-best 61.3% from the floor and 36.8% from beyond the arc.
https://t.co/wWGNmWoaNH Updated MVP ladder:
1. Nikola Jokic
2. Jayson Tatum
3. Kevin Durant
4. Luka Doncic
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo
6. Joel Embiid
7. Jay Morant / Donovan Mitchell
9. Jaylen Brown
10. Zion Williamson— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 6, 2023
Nikola Jokic is tied for sixth on the all-time triple-double list with 86. The center has notched 10 triples so far this season and has 27 career doubles.
Also in the Nuggets’ 141-128 win over the Washington Wizards on December 14, Joker scored a game-high 43 points with 14 boards, eight assists, five steals and one block in 34 minutes. He finished 17 of 20 (85%) from the field and 9 of 10 (90%) from the foul line.
