Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets places up a shot in opposition to Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors within the first quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup at Ball Enviornment on December 3, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. On Thursday, Jokic surpassed Corridor of Famer Magic Johnson within the profession triple doubles listing.| Matthew Stockman/Getty Pictures/AFP
CLEVELAND — There are moments when Nikola Jokic does issues on the court docket that appear to defy motive — nearly magical.
On Thursday, he handed a participant who had the identical outstanding ability.
Denver’s celebrity middle moved previous Corridor of Famer Magic Johnson and into third place on the profession listing for triple-doubles by recording the 139th of his profession in a 126-114 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The three-time MVP completed w ith 27 factors, 20 rebounds and 11 assists. However he missed some simple pictures and the Nuggets couldn’t defend the Cavs, who made a season-high 22 3-pointers and improved to 20-3.
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Jokic trails solely teammate Russell Westbrook (200) and Oscar Robertson (181) on the profession listing for triple-doubles.
“It’s one thing that you just’re most likely going to take a look at after you end your profession,” mentioned Jokic, who has 9 triple-doubles this season. “Proper now, you don’t even give it some thought. Nevertheless it’s an incredible factor. It’s very nice.”
Jokic glided by Johnson within the fourth quarter, selecting up his tenth help on a go to Michael Porter Jr., who dropped a 3-pointer from the wing with 3:37 left.
When the sport ended, the personable 7-footer hugged all the Cavs who had been on the ground and some of Cleveland’s coaches. As soon as he reached the locker room, Jokic was introduced with a sport ball for passing Johnson.
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has run out of phrases to explain his celebrated teammate.
“You see it along with his work ethic,” mentioned Murray, who had 19 factors, “His touches proceed to amaze me. He does every part on the court docket with an incredible angle and has a will to win. What else?”
It was a tough night time for the Nuggets, who had quite a few defensive lapses. Coach Michael Malone was happy to study Jokic’s mark, however he rapidly turned his focus again on a staff searching for its identification.
“We simply bought our butts kicked,” Malone mentioned. “Clearly, I like Nikola and I really feel very lucky to educate a participant along with his expertise and he’ll go down as probably the greatest to ever do it. I’m blissful to listen to that, I actually am. However I’m a lot extra involved about our staff proper now and the place we’re at.
“It’s not a lot that we misplaced tonight. I knew coming in right here can be a tall order. I simply don’t like how we misplaced and there’s a huge distinction.”
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