Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is arguably the best player in the league right now. The two-time NBA MVP is also undoubtedly one of the best centers of all time, his performances and numbers say so. Although, for there having been other big men to dominate under the boards, the offensive mastery that Jokic displayed is unmatched, even better than Shaq in some respects.
Indeed, it is that kind of skill that allowed the Denver Nuggets to take a 3-2 lead over the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals after their resounding win over the Suns in Game 5.
In the contest, Jokic recorded 29 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists, 2 steals and 1 rebound in 37.5 minutes.
Nikola Jokic puts up a triple-double as the @nuggets win Game 5 to secure a 3-2 lead!
29 PTS
13 REB
12 ASTDEN/PHX Game 6: Thurs. | 10pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/hr9d2nEoUx
– NBA (@NBA) May 10, 2023
All while shooting 60% from the field. It was Jokic’s 10th playoff game with a triple double, never had anyone done it like him, not even Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain.
Inside The NBA co-host Ernie Johnson congratulated Jokic on his accomplishments, leading to an exchange between Jokic and another Hall of Famer center, Shaq O’Neal.
“Thank you very much.”, Jokic says as he responds to Johnson. “Where is Shaq? Is Shaq on that list?”, he adds, smiling.
Ernie Johnson: “You passed Wilt Chamberlain tonight for most triple-doubles by a Center. Congrats on that!”
Nikola Jokic: “Nice, thank you. Is Shaq on that list?”
Shaq: “No, because I never passed Big Honey.” 😂
– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 10, 2023
“No”, Shaq replied. “Because I wasn’t passing it, Big Honey.”
O’Neal has been a better assistman than he himself says. However, 2.5 assists per game-which he held as an average over his career-pale in comparison to Jokic’s 6.6.
Read also: Nikola Jokic surpasses Wilt Chamberlain again: is he statistically the best center in NBA history?
