Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's historic record broken by Nikola Jokic

Denver Nuggets extended their great form with a significant victory against Orlando Magic (126-115), in a night that will be marked in NBA history by Nikola Jokic. The Serbian center achieved another triple-double —23 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds— becoming the all-time leader in assists among centers, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Jokic entered the game needing six assists to reach Kareem's 5,660, and did so quickly. The record fell at 6:26 left in the first half, when he assisted Jalen Pickett for a three-pointer that ignited the crowd's ovation. With that pass, the three-time MVP once again redefined what it means to play as a center in modern NBA.

The victory marked the sixth consecutive win for Denver, finding a turning point in the game during the second quarter with an offensive display by Jamal Murray. The Canadian guard scored 20 of his 32 points in that period, including five three-pointers, leading a comeback after trailing by 14 points. The Nuggets went from 47-33 down to a 68-54 lead at halftime, closing with a 35-7 run in the final minutes of the first half. The lead extended to 81-60 at the start of the third quarter, although Orlando did not give up.

Banchero tried to spoil Jokic's night

For the Magic, Paolo Banchero delivered an outstanding performance with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, achieving his third career triple-double and the first since March 2024. Wendell Carter Jr. also contributed 26 points, keeping Orlando in the game despite the significant absences of Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, both sidelined due to injury.

The Magic cut the lead to 92-83, and later dangerously approached 121-115 with just over a minute to go. However, Cam Johnson, who finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, sank a corner three-pointer after a timeout to definitively seal the game.

Beyond the result, the night once again revolved around Jokic, who now has 13 triple-doubles this season and continues to expand a legacy that places him in a unique historical dimension. In a league increasingly focused on passing and versatility, the Nuggets' center continues to show that his impact goes far beyond scoring.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El histórico récord de Kareem Abdul-Jabbar que ha roto Nikola Jokic