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Nikola Jokic is showing himself to be one of the best players in the NBA since being snubbed from the All-Star Game. He proved on Friday night that he deserved to play with the top players in the league last weekend after notching a third straight triple-double as the Denver Nuggets defeated the San Antonio Spurs 122-119.
Not only did he achieve a rare feat with the three successive triple-doubles, Elias Sports reports that he joined Wilt Chamberlain “as the only players 6'10” or taller to ever record 3 straight triple-doubles.”
Against the third-best team in the Western Conference based on the standings, Jokic had 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. He has been so good the past few games that his coach believes he should be an MVP candidate.
“He's not an All-Star, he's not in the MVP conversation, but when you look at his numbers that guy should be an All-Star. He should be in the MVP conversation,” Malone said. “He is one of the best all-around players in the game. He's one of the best players in the NBA right now, and he's proving it against the best teams and the best players every single night.”
In the previous game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Jokic had 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 17 assists. According to ESPN Stats & Info, what’s unique about this particular triple-double achievement by Jokic is how quickly he accomplished it which is the fastest ever in league history.
Nikola Jokic reached a triple-double with 1:54 left in the second quarter.
That's the fastest triple-double in the NBA in the past 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/kCy9a03ZGn
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 16, 2018
The Nuggets also won that game 134-123.
The triple-double streak started, intriguingly enough, versus the Spurs as well. On February 13, the second year forward recorded 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 117-109 victory.
He has 12 triple-doubles total in his career and averaging 23.4 points, 11 rebounds, and 10.4 assists in February.
