Nikola Jokić is making history in the world of basketball, and not just any history—he’s tying with one of the sport’s icons, Oscar Robertson, for second place on the all-time list of regular-season triple-doubles in the NBA. This remarkable achievement took place during a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, marking his 181st career triple-double and further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players to grace the court. To reach the pinnacle of this record, he now only needs 26 more triple-doubles to match Russell Westbrook, the current all-time leader who has recently added four to his total while playing for the Sacramento Kings.
Jokić achieved this impressive milestone in his 781st regular-season game, all while navigating through his 11th season in the NBA. In comparison, Robertson reached his own 181 career triple-doubles in 1,039 games, which was during the final stretch of his illustrious 14-year career. Known by the nickname "Big O," Robertson earned the MVP award in 1964 while with the Cincinnati Royals and celebrated his only NBA championship title with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1970-71 season. His skill set as a point guard was extraordinary; he was the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double over an entire season, boasting averages of 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists in the 1961-62 season.
It wasn't until five decades later that another player matched this feat—Russell Westbrook did so during the 2016-17 season, averaging an astounding 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists, ultimately earning him the MVP award that year. Remarkably, Westbrook managed to average a triple-double in three of the following four seasons, setting a new standard in the league.
On May 10, 2021, he broke Robertson's long-standing record for career triple-doubles in his 940th career game and, at 37 years old, has already recorded four triple-doubles this season, bringing his total to an impressive 207. Currently, Westbrook averages 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, posing a significant challenge for Jokić as he attempts to close the gap and chase down Westbrook's record.
In addition to his triple-double prowess, Jokić made headlines by becoming the all-time leader in assists for centers, surpassing the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on December 18. However, shortly after this achievement, Jokić faced adversity when he hyperextended his left knee in a road game against the Miami Heat, causing him to miss 16 consecutive games. Nevertheless, he is on track to join Westbrook as one of the only players in history to average a triple-double across multiple seasons. Currently leading the league with 17 triple-doubles, Jokić also has a chance to become the first qualified scorer to maintain shooting percentages of at least 60% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc for an entire season.
As Jokić ties one basketball legend and sets his sights on another, he continues to carve out a unique and influential place in NBA history. The excitement surrounding these achievements raises questions about the future of both players: Will Jokić surpass Westbrook’s record? What does this mean for the evolution of the triple-double in the NBA? As fans, we must ponder these intriguing possibilities!
