Key Takeaways
- Historic Milestone: Nikola Jokic recorded his 182nd career triple-double, moving past Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson for second place on the all-time list.
- Masterclass in Chicago: Jokic finished with 22 points, 17 assists, and 14 rebounds in just 33 minutes of action.
- Streak Snapped: The Denver Nuggets ended a three-game losing skid with a 136-120 victory over the Bulls.
CHICAGO — Nikola Jokic didn’t just play basketball Saturday night; he carved his name deeper into the bedrock of NBA history. With a masterclass performance at the United Center, the Denver Nuggets center officially passed Oscar Robertson for the second-most triple-doubles in league history.
The Record-Breaking Night
The milestone basket came early in the third quarter—a trademark Jokic touchdown pass that found a cutting Jamal Murray. That assist secured the triple-double and vaulted Jokic into a territory previously occupied only by Robertson and the all-time leader, Russell Westbrook. Jokic’s final stat line read like a video game: 22 points, 17 assists, and 14 rebounds. He shot 7-of-12 from the field and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, finishing the game as a staggering +36.
The Nuggets’ offense hummed with a rhythm they’ve lacked during their recent three-game slide. Denver dismantled the Bulls’ defense, shooting over 55% as a team. Jamal Murray added 28 points, while the Nuggets’ bench finally showed signs of life, outscoring Chicago’s reserves 42-29.
Box Score: Denver Nuggets 136, Chicago Bulls 120
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | 22 | 14 | 17 | 58.3% |
| Jamal Murray | 28 | 4 | 11 | 52.0% |
| Coby White (CHI) | 24 | 3 | 6 | 47.8% |
What They Said
“Passing Oscar Robertson isn’t something I ever dreamed of. It’s a testament to the guys I play with. They have to make the shots for me to get the assists. I’m just glad we got the win after a tough week.” — Nikola Jokic, Nuggets Center
“We’ve stopped being surprised by Nikola, and that’s the scary part. He makes the spectacular look routine. Tonight, he controlled every single inch of that court.” — Michael Malone, Nuggets Head Coach
What’s Next for the Nuggets
The chase for the top spot is officially on. Jokic now sits at 182 triple-doubles, trailing only Russell Westbrook, who leads the pack with 207. With the way “The Joker” is distributing the ball this season—averaging nearly 11 assists per game—that record is no longer a matter of ‘if,’ but ‘when.’
Denver heads to Milwaukee next for a Tuesday night showdown with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. For the Nuggets, the victory provides much-needed momentum as they fight to climb back into the top three of a crowded Western Conference playoff race.
