Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic already had 33 points after just two quarters against the streaking Utah Jazz on Sunday. Most players would shoot more after such a hot start, but The Joker stayed within the Nuggets' system and did not force anything.
While he could have just as easily reached 50 points, the 6-foot-11 Jokic settled with tying his career-high 47 points on an efficient 17-of-26 shooting from the field, including 4-of-4 from long distance. The do-it-all big man also posted 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block.
After helping the Nuggets end the Jazz's 11-game winning streak, 128-117 at Pepsi Center, the two-time All-Star told The Denver Post's Mike Singer that gaining the victory was more important to him than setting a new career-high in scoring.
Nikola Jokic on the pursuit of 50: “I think the main thing is just win the game.”
— Mike Singer (@msinger) January 31, 2021
Turns out, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray even egged Jokic to chase his personal record, but the gentle giant from Serbia did not budge.
Nikola Jokic made it seem like he was unaware he was approaching 50.
“Jamal made it pretty clear that I was close. He was kinda into it.”
— Mike Singer (@msinger) February 1, 2021
Jokic's selflessness earned him even more admiration from Nuggets coach Mike Malone and teammate Will Barton.
Article Continues BelowMalone confirms that Jamal Murray chucked the ball at him because he wanted Joker to try for 50.
But Malone adds: “I love the fact that he’s even thinking about that.”
— Mike Singer (@msinger) January 31, 2021
Will Barton said he told Jokic with a few minutes left to go get 50. Then said, he doesn’t care about that stuff.
“He has no weaknesses.”
— Mike Singer (@msinger) January 31, 2021
Jokic's huge game is indeed proof that he is arguably the most skilled big man in the NBA today. While he finished a point short of setting a new career scoring record, the 41st overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft still became the second player in league history to record 20 straight double-doubles to open the season.
The 25-year-old Nikola Jokic has inserted his name to early MVP frontrunners, notching 26.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and 1.8 steals in their first 20 games.
The Nuggets improved to 12-8 after their impressive win over the Jazz.