Nikola Jokic had perhaps the most complete game of his career, finishing with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 17 assists in a 134-123 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, making his coach Mike Malone proud in a top-box matchup against Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The crafty big man already had a triple-double well underway by the end of the first half, totaling 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in 16 minutes, well en route to shattering that mark with 24 minutes left to play in the game.

Malone was impressed, but only to a certain degree, claiming he sees just how special the 6-foot-10 Serbian is in practice every day.

“It’s kind of like when I was fortunate enough to coach a guy like LeBron, Chris Paul, Steph Curry, you recognize greatness. There's moments in the game where you're so locked in and you worry about getting another stop. Some of the plays that he makes, and how he makes the right play over and over again and how he makes all his teammates better, I do admire that.”

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The Joker didn't disappoint, stringing right decisions one after another, finishing 11-of-14 from the field, 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-5 from the foul line, despite his eight turnovers in the game.

Just when reporters thought Malone had run out of superlatives to shower Jokic with, he gave them this gem.

“We feel that we have the most dynamic, best facilitator, best young playmaker in the NBA and it's been really fun to grow with him and see where this team and organization can go,” Malone added.

The Nuggets have now won three straight games prior to the All-Star break and sit in a virtual tie with the Portland Trail Blazers for sixth place in a very competitive Western Conference.