As the Denver Nuggets battle for a top six playoff spot in the Western Conference with three games remaining in the 202-22 National Basketball Association regular season, they have received exceptional play as of late from the reigning NBA most valuable player Nikola Jokic of Sombor, Serbia.According to ESPN, Jokic has become the first Nuggets player in franchise history to have a minimum of 35 points and 10 rebounds in three straight games.
On March 30, he had 37 points and 13 rebounds in a 125-118 Denver win over the Indiana Pacers. On April 1, Jokic had 38 points and 19 rebounds in a 136-130 Denver loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Then on Sunday, Jokic had 38 points and 18 rebounds in a 129-118 Denver win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Also during the streak, Jokic has scored 35 points on 65% shooting. He made 15 of 19 field goals against the Pacers for a field goal percentage of .789. Jokic made 14 of 21 field goals against the Timberwolves for a field goal percentage of .667. Then Jokic made 15 of 22 field goals against the Lakers for a field goal percentage of .682. Jokic is one of five NBA players ever to have 35 points and 65% shooting in three straight games. The others are Shaquille O’Neal of the Orlando Magic in 1993, Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1990, Adrian Dantley of the Utah Jazz in 1982, and Wilt Chamberlain of the 76ers in 1967.
Jokic also had a marvelous March. He became the second player ever to be in the top 10 in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks in the same calendar month. The first was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers in March of 1976. In March, Jokic had 449 points (3rd in the NBA), 191 rebounds (2nd in the NBA), 119 assists (5th in the NBA), 25 steals (seventh in the NBA), and 21 blocks (sixth in the NBA).
The Nuggets meanwhile are currently fifth in the Western Conference. They have a record of 47 wins and 32 losses, and lead the Timberwolves by two games to guarantee themselves a top-six spot, and avoid participation in the play-in tournament.
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