SUMMARY
- Nikola Jokic recorded 40 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block in Game 5 vs. Timberwolves.
- The 29-year-old passed Shaquille O'Neal for most assists recorded by a center in the playoffs.
Nikola Jokic is most definitely one of the best players around if not the best in the league right now. After an upsetting 0-2 run against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 3x MVP led the Denver Nuggets to three consecutive wins. He also managed to get his team the first home win of the series as well. Multiple experts and fans began counting the Nuggets out after failing to put the Wolves’ flame out. Jokic only took it as motivation to come back stronger.
His Game 5 performance at the Ball Arena is one night fans will never forget. The NBA bestowed the Serbian player with his third MVP in four years. Jokic is one of very few NBA players who boast three MVPs and he became the seventh player in league history to acquire three MVPs before the age of 30. This night was a must-win in the series and a very important game for the Nuggets star’s legacy as well.
Nikola Jokic poses a threat to one of Bill Russell’s longest-standing playoff records
Game 5 might’ve seemed like any other ordinary night for fans who witnessed Nikola Jokic dominate the floor. He managed to embarrass a four-time defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert and scored 40 points. Additionally, he recorded 13 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block. Jokic surpassed Shaquille O’Neal for the fourth all-time in assists recorded by centers.
What an absurd pass by Nikola Jokic pic.twitter.com/Fy8PwqH9nx
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 15, 2024
Jokic currently has 591 (and counting) assists recorded since the start of his playoff career. Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell are the only other players ahead of the 2023 NBA Champion. Russell ranks first on this list and Jokic trails by 179 assists. Russell had set this record in 1969, more than fifty years ago. Additionally, Jokic became the only athlete besides Chris Paul to record 40 points and 10+ assists without any turnovers.
Nikola Jokic achieved a scoring milestone during Game 5 vs Timberwolves
Nikola Jokic did not establish himself as an elite scorer when he came into the league. However, he has been dominant in that category when needed. This post-season, Jokic has been averaging 28.8 points per game. His 40-piece during Game 5 against the Timberwolves helped him move amongst the top ten scorers in NBA playoff history amongst centers.
Nikola Jokic took the Timberwolves to school tonight
Just watch 🤯
(🎥 @Digits3App ) pic.twitter.com/y7lUOCKwFv
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 15, 2024
He currently has 2,100+ points (and counting) which puts him at No.10 on the playoff scoring list amongst centers. Over the years, Jokic has averaged 27.7 points in the playoffs, which is a higher points average than what Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar put up in the playoffs throughout their careers. Jokic is likely to move up to the eighth spot passing Tim Duncan and potentially Bill Russell by the end of this post-season, given the Nuggets reach the NBA Finals.