Nikola Jokic accomplishes accolade more important to him than an MVP
Jan 19, 2023, 1:22 AM | Updated: 1:31 am
Led by Nikola Jokic’s palindrome triple-double the Denver Nuggets won their 15th-straight at home and eighth overall, knocking off the Minnesota Timberwolves 122-118 on Wednesday.
It was the Nuggets second home game in as many nights and Jokic’s second 30-point triple-double in as many days, scoring 31, rebounding 11 and adding 13 assists as he set the franchise’s all-time helper mark.
The previous record had stood since 1990 at 3,679 assists tallied by the 1980s leading scorer and Nuggets great Alex English.
“I knew that eventually my all-time assist record would be broken. I’m honored to see that it’s 2-time, I mean 3-time MVP of the NBA do it. Congrats big fella,” English wrote on Twitter.
The back-to-back MVP has vaulted himself atop-the conversation for a third-straight season. But Jokic likely doesn’t care too much about basketball’s best player award, instead, he’ll value his new franchise mark among his top accomplishments, which he got to in just eight seasons. He is the lone center in the NBA to lead a franchise’s all-time assist mark.
“I couldn’t do it without teammates,” Jokic said, getting a signed ball from his teammates after the game. “I’ll find a nice spot in my house for the ball.”
Jokic has famously maybe, hinted at, losing his MVP trophies.
While postgame in the news conference Jokic wrote it off as “another award,” he said on ESPN right after the game, “The first thing I’m proud of is how my teammates love to play with me because I share the ball.”
Jamal Murray hit the game-winner down the stretch as the Nuggets erased a Minny lead in what was a very choppy game but kept Denver atop the west, here’s D-Mac’s recap below:
.@DenverSportsCom What it means to be the best teammate – FIRST – Jokic breaks the all time Assists record as the Nuggets win a game they should’ve lost – 122-118 W. Recap. pic.twitter.com/wiZ44wpCpc
— Darren McKee (@DMacRadio) January 19, 2023
The Nuggets are back at home for their third game in four nights on Friday, when they host Indiana.
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