Nikola Jokic's performance against the Phoenix Suns on Friday night had never been done before. A feat so rare, Jokic literally entered a class of his own. Jokic and his Denver Nuggets took down the Suns in an overtime thriller 149-141. And in the process, posted the first 30-20-20 game in NBA history.
Jokic finished Friday's victory with 31 points, 22 assists, and 21 rebounds. It was Jokic's twenty-ninth triple-double of the season. Jokic ranks third all-time in triple-doubles with 159, trailing only Oscar Robertson (181) and his current teammate, Russell Westbrook (202).
Jokic also continues to separate himself statistically from other centers in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain ranks second all-time in triple-doubles by a center with 78.
Jokic could be jumping for joy every time he makes history, but he remains one of the most mild-mannered superstars in the NBA. Jokic remained in character, revealing his true feelings about his historic performance against the Suns.
Nikola Jokic on his historic 30-20-20 night:
"I was talking to AG and he said to me that was quiet 30-20-20."
"I said that's probably true. I think I didn't do anything special special. It just seemed like everything was in flow." pic.twitter.com/paUxSZ9LHX
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) March 8, 2025
"I was talking to AG (Aaron Gordon), and he said to me that was a quiet 30-20-20. I said that's probably true because I think I didn't do anything like special, special. It just seemed like everything was in flow," Jokic said.
As Jokic navigated his way through his postgame press conference, he appeared to run out of things to say about his historic performance, instead shining the spotlight on the team having a good game.
"I don't think it's supposed to go that way. We had a really good game. Everything went downhill for us. I'll probably remember it my whole life, but it's just a game. I don't know what to say to be honest," Jokic said.
Jokic will have a chance to notch triple-double No. 30 on the season when the Nuggets take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, March 9 at 1 p.m. EST on ABC. This is the first of back-to-back meetings between the Nuggets and Thunder in the coming week, and all eyes will be on Jokic vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the NBA MVP race.
Related: Michael Malone Ranks Nikola Jokic's Historic Performance After Nuggets-Suns
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This story was originally published March 8, 2025 at 3:42 AM.