DENVER — Denver‘s Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook made NBA historical past Friday night time, changing into the primary pair of teammates to file a triple-double in the identical recreation twice in a single season.
Jokic completed with 35 factors, 15 assists and 12 rebounds for his NBA-leading fifteenth triple-double of the season within the Nuggets’ 124-105 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Westbrook had 25 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
“I feel it is that is the model each of us play,” Jokic stated. “I’m simply glad we’re profitable the video games as a result of that is extra necessary than the stats. It’s particular, the connection, how the blokes are keen to run the lanes and get to the nook. They know the ball’s going to search out them.”
They’re additionally the primary to file a 25-point triple-double in the identical regular-season recreation.
“Wow,” Denver coach Michael Malone stated. “That’s fairly loopy. We’re watching historical past, people.”
The pair additionally completed the feat at Utah on Dec. 30. Jokic had 36 factors, 22 rebounds and 11 assists that night time whereas Westbrook had 16 factors, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Westbrook made all seven of his shot makes an attempt, each free throw makes an attempt and did not have a turnover in that recreation.
Westbrook credited Malone with giving him the liberty to play his recreation.
“Being in a position to do this permits me to have the ability to make guys round me higher,” Westbrook stated Friday. “Try to deliver this workforce some management, some vitality, some toughness. We’re simply getting began on figuring it out.”
Jokic had missed the earlier two video games with an sickness earlier than returning towards the Nets. He went to the bench late within the third quarter one rebound shy of his 145th profession triple-double and the Nuggets main by 18.
Brooklyn rallied to get inside 5 and Jokic returned and had 9 factors, 4 assists and three rebounds within the fourth.
Jokic received his tenth rebound after Westbrook blocked Keon Johnson‘s shot with 6:51 left.
Westbrook had 4 assists within the fourth to file his 202nd profession triple-double, which is probably the most in an NBA profession. It was his third triple-double this season, his first in Denver.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
