Nuggets news: Nikola Jokic matches Giannis Antetokounmpo record

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has matched an insane statistic held by Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the Joker continues to dominate.

The Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic has been on a tear this season, dominating his matchups and fueling the Nuggets through their mediocre 13-13 season so far. Despite the Nuggets' somewhat underwhelming standing (7th in the Western Conference), Jokic has been averaging monster numbers through his last five games. The Joker has recorded 30 points or more, as well as 10 assists or more in three of his last five, while logging 11 or more rebounds in all his last five games. So far, Jokic has contributed a triple double thrice in the five-game stretch. As a result of his eye-popping play, Jokic is officially the only player aside from fellow MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in the last two seasons to have a statline of 35/15/5 in less than 35 minutes played. Unreal.

The reigning MVP last 5 games:

35 PTS | 17 REB | 8 AST
22 PTS | 13 REB | 10 AST
39 PTS | 11 REB | 11 AST
17 PTS | 12 REB | 15 AST
32 PTS | 11 REB | 5 AST pic.twitter.com/OnaEKlHxt1

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 12, 2021

Nikola Jokic in 34 minutes tonight:

35 PTS
17 REB
8 AST
15-24 FG
4-6 3P

He joins Giannis has the only players with a 35/15/5 game in fewer than 35 minutes in the last 2 seasons. pic.twitter.com/y4AIn3rW4O

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 12, 2021

So far, Jokic averages 26.5 points (on 58.2 FG%), 13.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks for the season. To pull up some more statistics concerning Jokic, the reigning Nuggets MVP is currently 4th in points per game, 2nd in rebounds per game, and 12th in assists per game for the season, while schooling the whole league in efficiency, as he is 1st in PER (Player Efficiency Rating).

Officially matching Antetokounmpo's insane stat, the Joker of the Nuggets and the Greek Freak of the Milwaukee Bucks are heralding a mini-renaissance of big men in the NBA, as the two of them have dominated MVP conversations throughout the past few years. Jokic's game is significantly different from that of Antetokounmpo, however, as Jokic is much more comfortable shooting from beyond the arc, and is currently averaging more assists and rebounds than Antetokounmpo. Regardless, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are in a league of their own right now.