On Thursday night, Nikola Jokic created NBA history by becoming just the third player to ever achieve a triple-double against every team in the league.
Jokic was 10-for-10 from the floor to close out Denver’s 130-110 victory over the Washingtоn Wizards. He finished with 21 points, 19 rebounds, and 15 assists.
In addition, he was captured on camera waving to his daughter and other members of his family after the historic performance. Ognjena, his gorgeous daughter, gave him a kiss.
Jokic was recently spotted at Tuesday’s Colorado Avalanche game against the Vancouver Canucks, along with his daughter.
With 16 triple-doubles this season, the MVP candidate is second in the NBA only to Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings (18).
With 10 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists in the first half, he came close to reaching his goal.
The only other players with a triple-double against every opponent are LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.
The reigning champion Nuggets ended a three-game losing streak with a game led by Michael Porter, who finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds after the All-Star break.
With tibia inflammation keeping him out of Denver’s previous game, Jamal Murray finished with eight assists, three steals, and eight points.
The Wizards suffered their ninth straight loss, matching their longest losing streak of the year, despite 31 points and 13 rebounds from Kyle Kuzma.
Deni Avdija, who shot 61.5% and averaged 28.3 points in Washingtоn’s previous four games, was limited to just five points on two of eleven shots.
Washingtоn was outshot by opponents with winning records, shooting 38.8% from the field and finishing 1-34. After being dropped from the starting lineup by interim coach Brian Keefe, Jordan Poole finished with 18 points on 4 of 17 shots.
Aaron Gordon scored 17 points for Denver while Christian Braun and Peyton Watson were productive off the bench. Braun had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Watson finished with 11 points and four blocks.
Denver toyed with Washingtоn defensively, regularly beating the Wizards with backdoor cuts that led to high-percentage and often uncontested scoring opportunities at the rim.
Despite making just four of their 18 3-pointers in the first half, the Nuggets went 28 of 37 from inside the arc to help build a 72-49 halftime lead.
Denver finished with a season-high 88 points in the paint.
The Nuggets led by 16 in the first quarter and extended that advantage to 26 when Gordon made two free throws with 2:04 remaining in the second.
The only other time the Nuggets lost three straight games this season, they responded by winning nine of their next 10.