DENVER — Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook made NBA historical past on Friday night time, turning into the primary pair of teammates to report a triple-double in the identical sport a number of instances 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’s that’s the model each of us play,” Jokic stated. “I’m simply glad we’re profitable the video games as a result of that’s extra necessary than the stats. It’s particular, the connection, how the fellows are prepared to run the lanes and get to the nook. They know the ball’s going to seek out them.”
They’re additionally the primary to report a 25-point triple-double in the identical regular-season sport.
“Wow. That’s fairly loopy. We’re watching historical past, people,” Denver coach Michael Malone stated.
The pair additionally achieved 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 didn’t have a turnover in that sport.
Westbrook credited Malone with giving him the liberty to play his sport.
“Having the ability to do that permits me to have the ability to make guys round me higher,” Westbrook stated Friday. “Attempt to carry this crew 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 in opposition to 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 acquired his tenth rebound after Westbrook blocked Keon Johnson’s shot with 6:51 left.
Westbrook had 4 assists within the fourth to report 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.
Westbrook signed with the Nuggets final summer time after spending the final three seasons in Los Angeles with each the Lakers and the Clippers.
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