Nikola Jokic is back-and he’s putting up numbers that remind us why he’s the heartbeat of the Denver Nuggets. But while the Joker is doing everything short of spinning plates on the sideline, the Nuggets are still searching for their rhythm. Since his return from a left knee injury, Denver has dropped three of four games, including a double-overtime thriller in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
That 134-127 loss to the Knicks stung, but Jokic was once again in rare form. He poured in 30 points, pulled down 14 boards, and dished out 10 assists-another triple-double for the reigning MVP, and a historic one at that.
With that performance, Jokic tied Oscar Robertson for the second-most triple-doubles in NBA history (181), trailing only Russell Westbrook’s 207. And here’s the kicker: Jokic reached that number in just 781 games.
Robertson needed 1,039. That’s not just impressive-it’s generational.
We’re talking about a 6-foot-11, 284-pound center doing things that were once reserved for guards with elite vision and tempo. Jokic, now in his 11th season, continues to redefine what a big man can be in today’s NBA.
His basketball IQ, touch, and feel for the game are off the charts, and he’s on pace-again-to average a triple-double over the course of a season. Heading into Wednesday’s matchup, he was posting 29.1 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game.
That’s not just MVP-level production. That’s all-time great territory.
And yet, the Nuggets sit at 1-3 since his return. That’s the part that raises eyebrows-but maybe not alarms.
Let’s look at the context. Denver’s recent losses came against the Thunder, Pistons, and now the Knicks-three teams that have been red-hot.
Oklahoma City was leading the Western Conference at 40-12. Detroit, surprisingly, was pacing the East at 37-12.
And the Knicks? They’ve now rattled off eight straight wins and are sitting at 33-18.
So while the results haven’t gone Denver’s way, these aren’t bottom-feeder losses. These are battles against teams playing elite basketball.
More importantly, Jokic doesn’t look limited or tentative. He’s moving well, making reads, and controlling the game the way only he can.
Over the last four games, he’s averaged 23.3 points, 12 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. Those are numbers most players would dream of in a career-best stretch.
For Jokic, it’s just another week at the office.
Denver now turns its attention to Saturday’s road matchup against the Bulls. Chicago is sitting below .500 at 24-27, and this game offers a prime opportunity for the Nuggets to get back on track. According to ESPN Analytics, Denver has a 77% chance to win-and if Jokic keeps playing like this, that number might be conservative.
For now, the Nuggets may be wobbling, but there’s no need to hit the panic button. As long as Jokic is anchoring the ship, Denver has the kind of foundation that can weather a mid-season skid.
The triple-doubles are historic, the production is consistent, and the leadership is unmistakable. The Joker is doing his part-now it’s time for the rest of the cast to follow his lead.