Nikola Jokic enters legendary territory: 200 triple-doubles and the record in sight

Nikola Jokic continues to enhance his legend in the NBA. The center for the Denver Nuggets registered the 200th triple-double of his regular season career during the 104-91 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Serbian reached a historic milestone in a win that allows Denver to successfully complete its two consecutive matchups against New Orleans and brings them a bit closer to the record held by Russell Westbrook.

The Nuggets dominated the game from the start and never trailed in the score. After overcoming a 23-point deficit to defeat the Pelicans in Denver on Saturday, the Colorado team played a very different match this time: quickly taking a 22-point lead and controlling the game for most of the night.

Jamal Murray, with 23 points, was Denver's top scorer, while Aaron Gordon contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds. Jokic, for his part, once again demonstrated his ability to influence all facets of the game, reaching a mark that only one other player has achieved in the history of the competition.

Jokic reaches 200 triple-doubles in fewer games than Westbrook

Jokic's 200th triple-double in regular season represents another step toward the NBA's all-time record. The Serbian now needs ten more to surpass Westbrook, who retired at the end of last season and continues to lead the all-time rankings.

The comparison between the two stands out not only for the volume of their records but also for the difference in games needed to reach the same figure. Westbrook reached 200 triple-doubles in his 1,175th game, while Jokic reached that amount in just 814 games.

Both are the only players who have surpassed the 200 triple-double mark in the regular season. With ten more, the Nuggets' center could become the new all-time leader of a ranking that for years has had Westbrook as a reference.

The performance against New Orleans also confirmed how frequently Jokic achieves this type of record against certain opponents. Of his 200 triple-doubles, 16 have come against the Pelicans, six more than against any other NBA team.

The match again showed why the Serbian is a central piece in Denver's offensive operation. His ability to score, control rebounds, and create opportunities for his teammates allows him to accumulate triple-doubles without the team needing to sacrifice its collective structure to pursue them.

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Denver dominates from the first quarter and avoids another Pelicans comeback

The Nuggets did not want to repeat Saturday's scenario, when they had to come back from a 23-point deficit to win. This time, the team came out much more decisively and built a lead that influenced the game from the first minutes.

Murray was one of the main contributors to the early surge. The guard made his first three shots, all from beyond the arc, helping Denver achieve 62% shooting from the field during the first quarter. The home team closed that period with a solid 37-18 lead.

The lead continued to grow during the second quarter. A layup by Marvin Bagley set the score at 44-22 with about nine minutes left before halftime, marking the largest advantage in favor of the Nuggets during the game.

From there, Denver managed its lead without allowing the Pelicans to mount a comeback. New Orleans found some moments of response, but their offensive struggles from beyond the arc made it difficult for them to close the gap consistently.

The Pelicans finished with only seven three-pointers made out of 30 attempts, a 23.3% shooting percentage. That lack of effectiveness limited their options to narrow the distance against an opponent that had established a considerable advantage from the beginning.

Zion Williamson tries to reignite a Pelicans team still winless

Zion Williamson was the main offensive reference for New Orleans with 25 points. The forward tried to spark a reaction in the fourth quarter and brought his team within 88-83 with a three-pointer that cut the deficit to just five points.

However, Denver responded immediately. Murray hit another three-pointer and then added a layup to restore a ten-point lead for the Nuggets and halt the comeback attempt.

The guard's response was crucial in preventing the game from entering a highly uncertain final stretch. While Williamson sought to keep the Pelicans alive, Murray demonstrated once again his ability to shine in important moments and protect Denver's lead.

In addition to Williamson's 25 points, Derik Queen finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Jeremiah Fears contributed another 11 points. None of them, however, could change the result of a game in which New Orleans was always trailing.

The loss leaves the Pelicans with a 0-4 record under the leadership of Jamahl Mosley, who is facing his first season as the team's head coach. The team has yet to achieve its first victory and needs to improve its offensive performance to compete more regularly.

The Nuggets win despite absences and utilize a nine-player rotation

Denver also had to manage several absences. The Nuggets faced the game without Cam Johnson, who remains out due to an ankle issue, and Alpha Diallo, who is dealing with a wrist sprain. Additionally, Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones continued to be unavailable.

With these limitations, the team used only nine players but managed to control the game without relying on a comeback like Saturday's. The contributions from Murray and Gordon, combined with Jokic's new triple-double, allowed Denver to complete the two-game series against New Orleans with two victories.

Christian Braun added 15 points, and Trevon Brazile contributed another 11, expanding the offensive options for a Nuggets team that responded effectively despite the absences.

The victory marks another historic night for Jokic. His 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists not only helped Denver win 104-91 but also raised his tally to 200 triple-doubles in regular season. With ten more, the Serbian will surpass Westbrook and sit alone at the top of one of the NBA's most prestigious statistical rankings.

For now, Jokic’s immediate goal is to continue leading the Nuggets, but each new triple-double brings him a bit closer to a record that, judging by the pace at which he has reached this figure, is increasingly within his reach.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Nikola Jokic entra en territorio de leyenda: 200 triples-dobles y el récord a tiro