DENVER — On Friday night, Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook made NBA history by becoming the first teammates to achieve a triple-double in the same game on multiple occasions within a single season.
Jokic showcased a stellar performance, racking up 35 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds, marking his NBA-leading 15th triple-double this season, helping the Nuggets secure a 124-105 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Meanwhile, Westbrook contributed significantly with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
“It’s all about our style of play,” Jokic commented on their achievement. “What matters most is that we’re winning games; the stats take a backseat to that. Our relationship is special, and the team dynamics work well as guys move to open spaces, knowing the ball will find them.”
They also became the first duo to log a 25-point triple-double in the same regular-season game, a rare feat that drew attention. Denver’s coach, Michael Malone, expressed his excitement, saying, “Wow. That’s pretty crazy. We’re witnessing history, folks.”
The previous occasion where they accomplished this was against Utah on December 30, where Jokic delivered an impressive 36 points, 22 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Westbrook added 16 points along with his own triple-double stats.
In that earlier game, Westbrook did not miss any of his seven shooting attempts, and he completed both of his free throw attempts without committing a turnover. He acknowledged the support he receives from Malone, allowing him the freedom to execute his game style. “That freedom enhances my ability to uplift my teammates,” Westbrook said. “I aim to bring leadership, energy, and toughness to this team. We’re just beginning to find our rhythm.”
After missing the previous two games due to illness, Jokic returned to action against the Nets. He exited late in the third quarter just one rebound shy of his 145th career triple-double while the Nuggets were leading by 18 points. Upon Brooklyn rallying to close the gap and get within five, Jokic re-entered the game, scoring nine points and dishing out four assists while securing three rebounds in the final quarter.
Jokic completed his 10th rebound after Westbrook blocked a shot by Keon Johnson with 6:51 remaining on the clock. Westbrook’s four assists in the fourth quarter helped him achieve his 202nd career triple-double, setting a new NBA record. This marked Westbrook’s third triple-double of the season and his first while playing for the Nuggets, a team he joined last summer after spending three years in Los Angeles with the Lakers and Clippers.
