Even by Nikola Jokić’s remarkable standards, his performance on Tuesday was extraordinary.
He delivered an impressive stat line of 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists in the Denver Nuggets’ 144-139 overtime victory against the Brooklyn Nets, becoming just the second player in NBA history—and the first in 62 years—to achieve such numbers. The only other player to accomplish this feat was Oscar Robertson, who did it twice in 1962.
The Nuggets (2-2) relied heavily on Jokić’s contributions as they fought back from a 17-point deficit in the first half, with Jokić’s critical hook shot tying the game at 125-125 with under nine seconds left in regulation.
In addition to Jokić’s performance, four Nuggets players scored 20 points or more, and six finished in double figures. Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray each contributed 24 points, while Russell Westbrook added 22 off the bench in his best outing since joining the team.
This marked the Nuggets’ second consecutive overtime game after their win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday.
“It’s just an extra five minutes; it’s not really that much extra playing time,” Jokić remarked.
For the Nets, Dennis Schröder led the way with 28 points and 14 assists, while Cam Thomas contributed 26 points and Cameron Johnson added 20. Seven Nets players scored in double figures as Brooklyn fell to 1-3 on the season.