Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets to the win against the Suns in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Serbian superstar finished the game with a triple-double of 29 pints, 12 rebounds and 13 assists as Denver took a 3-2 lead in the series.
It was his 10th playoff triple-double for the two-time MVP. Jokic passed Wilt Chamberlain who had nine for the most playoff triple-doubles by a center.
Michael Malone was told about the milestone that his player achieved after the game. “Again? He’s making a habit of this. Must be stat padding,” Malone said.
“What you love about Nikola, I learned back at Saint Agnes CYO, the defense tells you what to do. And Nikola never forces anything. He’s a guy that literally will just read the game and take what the game offers.
“In this series everyone’s talking about Devin Booker rightfully so. The performances he’s put on in the first round against the Clippers and against us, they’ve been spectacular.
“But I think sometimes we maybe take Nikola Jokic for granted. Because what he is doing is just incredible. Every single night. As you mentioned, I think now he has ten triple-doubles in the playoffs? Passing Wilt Chamberlain who had nine.
“29 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 block, 1 steal. And he makes everyone around him better. Never gets rattled. Cool Hand Luke. We’re just so thankful that he’s a Denver Nugget and have the relationship in the eight years together that I have with him. It’s been a lot, it’s been a really fun ride with him.”
