On Saturday evening, the Denver Nuggets punched their ticket to the second round of the playoffs with a dominant home win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7 of their first round series. While the first six games of this matchup had been highly competitive, Saturday's result was anything but, as the starters on both teams sat out the majority of the fourth quarter.

It was a strong performance for Nuggets MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, who overcame a rough shooting start and helped guide a prolific Denver offensive attack throughout the evening.

Jokic became just the third player in NBA history this season to average a triple-double, joining Oscar Robertson and Nuggets teammate Russell Westbrook.

Now, it's been revealed that of those six seasons (four belonging to Westbrook, and one each to Jokic and Robertson), Jokic is the first player to win a playoff series in the same year he averaged a triple-double, per WinesburgOhio on Reddit/nba.

Both Robertson and Westbrook exited in the first round during the years they averaged triple-doubles.

It's just another indication of the dominance that Jokic has displayed this season, carrying the Nuggets past the first round for a third straight year.

A big opportunity for the Nuggets

Article Continues Below
Related Denver Nuggets News
Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman points down the court during a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Nuggets’ David Adelman reveals what needs to change in DenverJackson Stone ·
Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) reacts with forward Jalen Williams (8) in the second half during game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center with the Nuggets and Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault in the background
How Nuggets took Thunder to championship levelJosue Pavon ·
Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center.
NBA rumors: Paul Pierce urges Nuggets to pull off DeMar DeRozan tradeJulian Ojeda ·
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) runs down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Nuggets’ Russell Westbrook announces surprise offseason surgeryJason Patt ·
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone gestures in the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Ball Arena.
Josh Kroenke subtly blames Michael Malone for Nuggets’ potential play-in fateRachel Strand ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Novak Djokovic congratulates Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic for historic seasonBenedetto Vitale ·
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) lines up a shot on net in the third quarter against the LA Clippers during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Denver now finds themselves matched up against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who ran away with the first seed in the Western Conference this year by winning 68 games.

The Nuggets will have just one day of rest before that matchup gets underway, while Oklahoma City has been off since April 26 after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.

However, while the Thunder will clearly have fresher legs, it's worth wondering if they may come out a bit rusty due to not having played in well over a week.

This matchup will be a battle of the league's two leading MVP candidates in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic. Game 1 is set for Monday evening at 9:30 PM ET from Oklahoma City and will be carried nationally by TNT.