Jokic of the Nuggets etches triple-double record, toppling the Clippers.
Rewritten Article:
On a Historic Saturday Night, Nikola Jokic Seals the Deal for the Denver Nuggets, Propelling them into the Second Round of the NBA Playoffs with a Commanding Victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. This nail-biting series, marked by tight competition, came to a decisive end in Game 7 at the Nuggets' home court. As the stellar starters on both teams took a well-deserved rest in the fourth quarter, it was clear that this game would not follow the close trends of the previous six.
Jokic, the Nuggets' standout MVP hopeful, overcame an initial rough patch and steered Denver's relentless offensive charge throughout the night. His impressive performance earned him a spot in the exclusive club of just three players this season to achieve a triple double, joining NBA legends Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook.
The icing on the cake? Jokic became the first player in NBA history to both average a triple double across the regular season and secure a playoff series win in the same campaign. Yes, YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT! In the 2024-25 NBA playoffs, Jokic averaged a mind-blowing 24.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 10.1 assists per game, demonstrating unparalleled efficiency and impact on the court[1].
When it came to the triple-double club, Jokic had already made his mark during the regular season, joining the ranks of only two other players on the list—Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook. This jaw-dropping feet was confirmed late in the 2024-25 regular season as Jokic racked up his 700th assist, cementing his place in the triple-double elite[2].
This incredible dual feat—triple-double domination during the regular season and clinching a playoff series win in the same season—is a first-of-its-kind milestone solely belonging to Jokic. There's no other player who can boast this impressive career achievement.
Now that they've conquered the first challenge, the Nuggets face another daunting task: taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder, who snatched the top spot in the Western Conference by commanding an impressive 68 wins this season. With only one day of rest before the matchup kicks off, the Nuggets find themselves at a slight disadvantage against a Thunder team that last saw action on April 26, following their impressive sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.
While the Thunder will be 100% fresh, it remains to be seen whether they might show a hint of rust, having not played in over a week. This showdown will feature the league's two leading MVP candidates—Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Game 1 takes the court on Monday evening at 9:30 PM ET from Oklahoma City, and will be broadcast nationally by TNT. Will Jokic and the Nuggets continue their playoff triumph or will the Thunder strike back with a vengeance? Stay tuned to find out!
Enrichment Data: During the 2024-25 NBA playoffs, Jokic averaged an extraordinary triple-double stat line of approximately 24.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 10.1 assists per game. This feat of averaging a triple-double over both the regular season and the playoffs in the same year marks a significant milestone in his impressive career.
In the thrilling NBA Playoffs, Nikola Jokic secured the win for the Denver Nuggets against the Los Angeles Clippers, propelling them into the second round. This triumph was a testament to Jokic's exceptional play in both sports and basketball, as he became the first player to average a triple double in the regular season and clinch a playoff series win in the same campaign.
As the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder prepare for their upcoming match against the Nuggets, the spotlight will shine bright on the two leading MVP candidates: Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With Jokic's historical triple-double performance in mind, this playoff showdown promises to be an exciting display of basketball prowess.
