The Serbian was only three assists away from his 138th career triple-double, matching the legendary Magic Johnson.
There’s been talk about it for a long time, and it was close in the night between Wednesday and Thursday that Nikola Jokić would surpass the legendary Magic Johnson.
In the category of “most career triple-doubles.” Only three assists in the victory over Utah – 122:103, were missing for Jokić to achieve that feat.
The Serb finished the match with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, narrowly missing out on his 138th triple-double, which Magic has in third place on the all-time list. Jokić could have reached the record against Utah, his team had a comfortable lead at the end, but they didn’t want to force anything in Denver.
Jokić scored 19 points in the first quarter alone, the only one in which Utah offered resistance, but coach Malone then protected him in the second quarter, mostly sitting on the bench.
Alongside the Serb, Jamal Murray stood out in the winning team with 22 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 19, Christian Braun 18, and Russell Westbrook 10.
Nikola Jokić is just so unguardable when his pick-and-pop jumper is falling like this (53%) pic.twitter.com/iXQkFV1EUI
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) November 28, 2024
Atlanta Hawks defeated Cleveland 135:124, handing them their second loss of the season. Deandre Hunter was the most efficient player in the winning team with 26 points, De’Andre Hunter scored 22 points with nine rebounds and seven assists, and Trae Young had 20 points and 22 assists.
Serbian basketball player Bogdan Bogdanović finished the game with 17 points, three rebounds, and a block, and Zach LaVine had 17 points.
Cleveland lost for the first time in 11 home games this season and suffered only their second loss, with Donovan Mitchell leading the team with 30 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Evan Mobley added 22 points and 13 rebounds, Darius Garland 19 points and seven assists, and Jarrett Allen 17 points and 10 rebounds.
PROČITAJTE VIŠE:
Miami Heat defeated Charlotte 98:94, handing them their fifth loss in the last six games. Miami was led by Tyler Herro with 27 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Duncan Robinson scored 22 points, including six threes out of nine attempts.
Bam Adebayo contributed to the victory with eight points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Haywood Highsmith with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Serbian basketball player Nikola Jović did not play. Jimmy Butler left the game in the third quarter due to back problems and finished the game with six points.
LaMelo Ball was the most efficient player for Charlotte with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Brandon Miller added 21 points, and Terry Rozier 17 points. Serbian basketball player Vasilije Micić had six points, two rebounds, and an assist.
Brooklyn Nets defeated Phoenix 127:117, securing their fourth victory in the last five games. The Nets were led by T.J. Warren with 30 points, including eight threes out of 10 attempts, and Dennis Schroder with 29 points. Ben Simmons added 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, and Cam Johnson 11 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Phoenix lost their seventh game in the last nine games, with Devin Booker leading the team with 31 points and Kevin Durant with 30 points and eight rebounds.
Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Golden State 105:101. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the most efficient player in the winning team with 35 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Isaiah Joe added 17 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein 14 points and 14 rebounds. Jalen Williams scored 13 points, with seven assists and six rebounds, but did not play in the second half due to a right eye injury.
Stephen Curry was absent from the Golden State team due to pain in both knees, and Jonathan Kuminga stood out with 19 points, Buddy Hield with 17, and Draymond Green with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.
Los Angeles Clippers defeated Washington 121:96, handing them their 13th consecutive loss. The Clippers were led by James Harden with 43 points and seven assists. He hit seven threes and scored 23 points in the first quarter. Ivica Zubac added 18 points and 16 rebounds, and Norman Powell 15 points.
For Washington, Malcolm Brogdon and Jonas Valanciunas each scored 17 points, while the top scorer Kyle Kuzma played only eight minutes after injuring his rib.
In other games, Houston defeated Philadelphia 122:115 in overtime with Jalen Green scoring 41 points, Orlando defeated Chicago 133:119, and Indiana defeated Portland 121:114.
Dallas was better than New York 129:114, Memphis defeated Detroit 131:111, and Sacramento defeated Minnesota 115:104, ending a four-game losing streak.
Toronto, led by Serbian coach Darko Rajaković, defeated New Orleans 119:93, while Los Angeles Lakers defeated San Antonio 119:101, with LeBron James recording a triple-double of 16 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds.
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Source: Sport Klub, Photo: Tyler Schank/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images