How real are the Lakers as NBA title contenders?
The Lakers have been on a roll since trading for Luka Doncic, but are they good enough to win a championship?
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic showed Friday night why he’s a three-time MVP.
Jokic put up an unprecedented triple-double of 31 points, 21 rebounds and 22 assists in the Nuggets’ 149-141 overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns. No NBA player had ever put up a 30-20-20 stat line.
He got the opportunity to make history after Kevin Durant forced overtime with a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Suns had just 1.1 seconds to tie after Christian Braun hit a 3-pointer to give the Nuggets the lead.
Jokic added five assists and scored six points in the extra session to lead Denver to victory. His 22 assists were a career high, per ESPN’s broadcast.
“Nikola Jokic is one of one,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “… I can’t describe him, so don’t ask me to. The guy is just an incredible player.
“When you are one of one in this league — and the tremendous history of this league — that says a lot. There’s a lot of good players in this league but Nikola, in my opinion, is just in a class all by himself.”
Nikola Jokic stats tonight
- Points:Â 31
- FG:Â 13-for-22
- 3PT: 3-for-7
- FT: 2-for-3
- Rebounds:Â 21
- Assists:Â 22
- Steals:Â 3
- Blocks:Â 0
- Turnovers:Â 4
- Fouls:Â 3
- Minutes played:Â 45
This story has been updated with new information.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.