Denver Nuggets Center Nikola Jokic became the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double on Friday night. Even though the Nuggets have one regular season game remaining, Jokic clinched the season-long triple-double with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 13 assists in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jokic became the third player in league history to average a triple-double in a season. Oscar Robertson did it during the 1961-62 season. Russell Westbrook has accomplished it four times in his illustrious career. Even though Jokic is not expected to win his fourth NBA MVP later this season, he is playing the best basketball of his career.
Jokic is third in the league in points, second in rebounds, second in assists, and ninth in field goal percentage. He also has more triple-doubles(34) than the next three players combined. Will Jokic be able to carry the Denver Nuggets on a deep postseason run?
Denver Nuggets Season Summary
Denver shocked the NBA world when they fired Head Coach Mike Malone and General Manager Calvin Booth earlier this week. It was a shock because they made such a drastic move with three games remaining in the regular season. The players have responded by going 2-0 under Interim Head Coach David Adelman.
The Nuggets are the No. 4 seed in a jumbled-together Western Conference. Denver is essentially locked into the 4th or 5th seed heading into the final game of the regular season. Denver has been paced by its offense this year. They are third in points scored, leading the league in field goal percentage, and sixth in three-point percentage. Jokic’s performance has helped the offense go this season.
The issue with the Nuggets, and one of the factors in Malone’s dismissal, is the team’s defense. They are 24th in points allowed, 14th in field goal percentage, and 23rd in opposing three-point percentage. Denver must maintain its offense, while improving on defense, to make it through a loaded Western Conference.
Final Thoughts
Denver closes out the regular season Sunday afternoon on the road against the Houston Rockets. The Nuggets need to have its full roster entering the postseason. Point Guard Jamal Murray played for the first time in a few weeks on Friday. He has proven to be one of the NBA’s best postseason performers. If Murray is healthy, the Denver Nuggets can advance past their seed.
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