At this point, could Nikola Jokić do anything so incredible it would surprise NBA fans?
That’s a rhetorical question, of course, but Jokić had another statement game in the NBA Finals, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 109-94 win over the Miami Heat for a 2-1 series lead.
Jokić’s stat line looked like something one of the Harlem Globetrotters might have posted against the hapless Washington Generals. The Nuggets superstar scored 32 points, grabbed 21 rebounds and dished out 10 assists.
It’s a crooked collection of numbers never before seen in the NBA Finals.
NIKOLA JOKIC DROPS THE FIRST 30-20-10 GAME IN NBA FINALS HISTORY‼️
Incredible. pic.twitter.com/6zkXzRgQka
— ESPN (@espn) June 8, 2023
By the way, Denver point guard Jamal Murray collected his own triple-double (34/10/10), making Jokić and Murray the only pair of teammates to have 30-point triple-doubles in the same game in NBA history.
What did Jokić’s feat mean to him? “Not much,” he said afterward.
“You are the first person in NBA History to have a 30-20-10 NBA Finals game. What does that mean to you?”
Nikola Jokic: “I mean to be honest, not much…I’m just glad we won the game .”
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 8, 2023
NBA fans have had plenty of practice praising Jokić the last few seasons, and they got more reps in Wednesday night.
We are witnessing greatness 🙌
— DICK'S Sporting Goods (@DICKS) June 8, 2023
Oh and Finals MVP regardless of who wins.
— Mo Abdalla 🔰 (@inthemo_ment) June 8, 2023
Joker lucks in more baskets on bizarre little bounces than any player ever. Like he's a scoring sorcerer.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 8, 2023
Nikola Jokic is having one of the best postseason runs we’ve seen in modern history.
— Romen Richardson (@romenrue_13) June 8, 2023
Nikola Jokic is HIM! The first ever 30-20-10 triple double in Finals history. This man is absurdly talented, and yet so humble. Also, shoutout to Jamal Murray for his own 30 pt triple double. This Nuggets team is LEGIT, but you know Jimmy Buckets won’t quit just yet.#NBAFinals
— GIF KING IS BACK (KOBE DAYS TIL BIG XII) (@boydcoy32_2) June 8, 2023