Nikola Jokic Breaks Playoff Triple-Double Record to Lead Nuggets to NBA Finals
Nikola Jokić‘s incredible postseason added a special distinction on Monday after the Nuggets star notched his third triple-double of the Western Conference finals in a historic 113–111 Game 4 win over the Lakers.
With a game-changing assist in the second half, Jokic made NBA history by securing his eighth playoff triple-double, the most ever in a single postseason. Jokić‘s feat broke a 56-year-old record held by NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain, who logged seven triple-doubles with the 76ers in the 1966–67 postseason.
The Nuggets went on to defeat the Lakers behind a furious second-half comeback led by clutch efforts from Jokić and Jamal Murray (25 points) to secure their first trip to the NBA Finals in the franchise’s 47-year history.
The two-time MVP ended the game with 30 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists in 45 minutes, and received the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP award. The performance stamped Jokić’s series with a bang, a four-game stretch where he averaged 27.8 points, 14.5 rebounds and 11.8 assists.
Against the Lakers in the West finals, Jokić looked unstoppable on the offensive end, similar to the mighty Chamberlain. The do-it-all big man’s 10th assist in Game 4 came on a crucial pass to guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at the 4:39 mark of the third quarter, leading to a Lakers foul and an and-one layup that gave Denver its first lead of the game.
The play contributed to an impressive third-quarter rally for the Nuggets as the West’s No. 1 seed outscored the seven-seed Lakers, 36–16, to take control of the game with a 94–89 lead to end the period. Jokić finished the quarter with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in his 33 minutes on the night.
Much like he has all season, Jokić anchored Monday night’s closeout victory on a night when he broke one of many records held by one of the NBA’s all-time greats. And in doing so, Jokić’s Nuggets will now have a chance to achieve what Chamberlain’s 76ers did nearly six decades ago and take home the NBA title.
Source: Sports Illustrated
