Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic did something on Friday night that no NBA player has ever done before, but Kevin Durant was not all that shocked by the feat.
Jokic posted a historic stat line while leading the Nuggets to a 149-141 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns. The three-time NBA MVP finished with 31 points, 22 assists and 21 rebounds. Jokic became the first player in NBA history to ever record 30-plus points, 20-plus rebounds and 20-plus assists in a single game.
Durant, who scored 29 points in a losing effort, had high praise for Jokic after the game.
"The whole offense is centered around him making a play. I'm actually kind of surprised he hasn't done this before, but he's been so close," Durant said. "He's an all-time great, man, an all-time great. The crazy thing is it didn't even seem like he had those numbers. I looked up towards the end of the overtime and I was like, 'Oh, sā.'"
Kevin Durant on Nikola Jokic's 30-20-20 game:
ā DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) March 8, 2025
"The whole offense is centered around him making a play. I'm actually kind of surprised he hasn't done this before."
"All-time great, man. All-time great"
"He gets the ball every play, so the numbers are gonna pile up..." pic.twitter.com/vPy5UQvkt5
Jokic is averaging a triple-double again this season. As Durant said, defenses know Jokic is going to get the ball on almost every possession, and they still can't stop him from making plays.
In addition to being one of the best players in NBA history, Jokic is also one of the most humble. He stayed on brand by downplaying his accomplishment on Friday night.
Jokic is once again squarely in the NBA MVP conversation. He has won the award three times in the past four seasons, and his latest historic feat could help him make it four out of five.
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