Nikola Jokic
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Nikola Jokic snapped 35-year record to become all-time assists leader among centers
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is no stranger to making history, as the three-time NBA MVP winner has amassed numerous accolades and milestones throughout his storied 11-year pro career.
The Serbian superstar made history once more on Thursday, delivering 23 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to overtake Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time assists leaders among centers. Not only did Jokic snap the 35-year record held by Abdul-Jabbar, but he did so in the blink of an eye.
It took Abdul-Jabbar 1,560 games to set this record. And it has taken Jokic almost half the time, 771 games, to break this record.
DNVR Nuggets
🚨 Nikola Jokic passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for MOST ASSISTS for a center in NBA history
Jokic did it in 789 FEWER GAMES 🤯👏
“I think it’s such a cool thing because it’s Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar], who was passed by LeBron as the all-time leading scorer,” Denver interim coach David Adelman said of Jokic’s feat. “That kind of puts in perspective who Nikola [Jokic] passed.
“It’s a celebration of our guy, a Denver Nugget, and it’s a celebration of NBA history, all in the same place.”
When discussing the achievement, Jokic remained nonchalant and joked that he looks forward to exaggerating his career stats to his kids post-retirement.
“I always say those things are something for after career,” Jokic said. “I think the legacy for after career that I’m gonna look back and, on the porch drinking beer, and telling the lies to my kids.”
Underdog NBA
Nikola Jokic on passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most assists by a center in NBA history:
“I always say those things are something for after career. I’m gonna look back, on the porch, drinking beer and telling lies to my kids.”
Nikola Jokic Draws Praise From Teammates Following Historic Night
Nikola Jokic
GettyNikola Jokic entered the Top 50 in all-time assists
Though Jokic stated that he won’t dwell on surpassing Abdul-Jabbar for the most all-time assists by a center until after retirement, his Denver teammates weren’t willing to wait as long, and heaped praise on the stat-stuffing big man.
“It’s incredible. And the amount of time it took him to do it,” Cam Johnson declared. “I’d also say it’s predictable. He’s the best passing center of all-time probably by a very wide margin. He’s one of the best passers the game has ever seen.”
Jamal Murray, who has spent 10 seasons alongside Jokic in Denver, also raved about the passing prowess of the former NBA MVP.
“This is a time that I can be able to look back and appreciate all the years that I’ve had to play this game with him,” Murray shared at the podium. “It’s special. You know, passing Kareem in anything is pretty cool.”
The pace in which Jokic passed Abdul-Jabbar is truly remarkable. Abdul-Jabbar recorded his 5,660 assists in 1,560 career games over 20 seasons. Jokic surpassed that career mark in just 11 seasons, doing so in 789 fewer games. He averages more than twice as many assists per game (7.4) than Abdul-Jabbar (3.6) did during his legendary career.
Jokic’s historic night helped him enter the Top 50 in all-time assists at 5,667 (regular season). Next up on the list at is Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird at 49th with 5,690 career assists.
Soon, Jokic could overtake another basketball legend on the all-time leaderboard, as he is now just five triple-doubles shy of passing Oscar Robertson for second place on the NBA’s all-time triple-double leaderboard.
Jokic and the Nuggets have now won six straight games, one shy of matching their season-high. Their 20-6 record is the best start in franchise history, and it’s the second-best record in the Western Conference.