Subscribe
Follow Us
Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic made a bit of history on Saturday, logging a 50-point double-double in a 119-114 loss to the Sacramento Kings. The All-Star big man also dished out 12 dimes against the Kings, en route to matching an NBA record that has been in place for nearly five decades.
Justin Kubatko, founder of Basketball-Reference, details Jokic's amazing feat:
Nikola Jokic today:
✅ 50 PTS (career high)
✅ 8 REB
✅ 12 AST
✅ 3 BLKJokic is the first center to record at least 50 points and 10 assists in a single game since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Jan. 19, 1975. pic.twitter.com/bAFQ4u72dO
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) February 7, 2021
If that wasn't enough, Jokic also etched his name in Nuggets franchise history (yet again) with his 50-piece meal on Saturday:
Nikola Jokic (career-high 50 points) joins Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson as the only @nuggets players with 50+ point games in the past 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/aTR95pyJSu
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 7, 2021
Jokic was on fire against the Kings, dominating Sacramento's frontcourt on his way to a career-best 50-point masterpiece. The 25-year-old still made sure to keep his teammates involved in the game, though, amassing 12 dimes in what turned out to be a record-matching performance for Jokic. The fact that it was the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who achieved this same feat (nearly 50 years ago!) only makes Jokic's effort even more impressive.
Unfortunately for Jokic, his heroics came in a losing effort, as the Nuggets were unable to hold off a determined Kings side. Harrison Barnes (28), De'Aaron Fox (24), Richaun Holmes (21), and rookie Tyrese Haliburton (23) all eclipsed the 20-point mark for Sacramento in a concerted team effort.
That's now back-to-back losses for Denver who came into Saturday's matchup following a 114-93 loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Jokic, who has been one of the frontrunners for the MVP award early in the season, has been doing his bit to carry his side, so at this point, the rest of the 12-10 Nuggets needs to step up their game.
