The Denver Nuggets have gotten off to an incredibly hot start to the 2025-26 season. Through four games, they are 3-1 and have built one of the league’s best offenses thus far. They have yet to score under 122 points in a game, including two games scoring over 130 points. Their offense ranks second at 128.3 points per game, trailing only the Philadelphia 76ers. This is in large part due to former three time MVP Nikola Jokić, who has produced four straight triple-doubles and is closing in on history.
Nikola Jokić is Chasing an All-Time Record
Early triple-double performances
It started out with a loss in the Nuggets’ season opener, a game where teammate Aaron Gordon scored 50. Although Jokić struggled from three point range, shooting 2-for-13, he was still able to make a big impact. Jokić finished the night with 21 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, one block and one steal. In their next game, Jokić helped lead the team to a season high 133 points. Against the Suns, Jokić scored 14 points to go along with 15 assists and 14 rebounds. He shot 5-for-8 in the process and added three steals.
In Denver’s third game of the season, Jokić produced a near 20-20 performance. He ended with 25 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and one block on 9-for-10 shooting. Finally, last Wednesday against the Pelicans, Jokić did more of the same. He finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists and two steals en route to another victory.
With those four, Jokić has now accumulated 168 career triple doubles, 30 more than Magic Johnson. He trails Oscar Robertson by 13, a mark he could certainly pass by the end of the season. After that, he’ll be 22 away from All-Time leader and former teammate Russell Westbrook, assuming he does not accumulate any more as a member of the Sacramento Kings.
Considering his age and the pace at which he’s recorded these stats, Jokić is one of the most efficient and successful basketball players in league history. Nearing 37 years of age, Russell Westbrook has recorded 203 triple-doubles in 18 seasons. Oscar Robertson achieved 181 in 14 seasons played. In comparison, Nikola Jokić is entering his 11th year at age 30. At the moment, Jokić and Robertson each have one NBA title, while Westbrook has yet to achieve this feat. As far as MVP awards are concerned, Jokić’s three are more than the Robertson and Westbrook combined.
Incredible pace
So, how good has Jokić actually been? The numbers speak for themselves. Last season, in 70 regular season games, Jokić posted a whopping 34 triple-doubles, nearly half of his games played. He’s recorded 10 or more in each season for the past eight consecutive seasons including 25 or more in the last three straight. How do the Nuggets fare in these games? Quite well. In 168 games with a triple-double, Jokić and the Nuggets are 131-37.
The Last Word
Despite his ability to perform every night, Nikola Jokić continues to be overlooked. With the Nuggets making the offseason additions of Jonas Valančiūnas, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cameron Johnson, Denver has a serious shot to make another deep title run. Perhaps another championship is needed for Jokić to prove himself, despite putting forth MVP-caliber seasons nearly every year.
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