On March 7, 2025, Nikola Jokić delivered a performance for the ages, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 149-141 overtime triumph over the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena. The Serbian center recorded 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists, becoming the first player in NBA history to achieve a 30-20-20 stat line in a single game. This extraordinary triple-double underscored Jokić’s rare blend of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, cementing his place among basketball’s elite.
The game was a rollercoaster. Denver surged to a 21-point lead by the third quarter, only for Phoenix, led by Kevin Durant’s 37 points, to claw back and force overtime with a last-second three. Jokić, unfazed, dominated the extra frame. He opened with a floater to spark a 7-0 run, then dished out assists on five consecutive Nuggets field goals, including a dunk by Christian Braun that extended the lead to double digits. His 22nd assist—a pass to Michael Porter Jr. for a dunk with 1:18 remaining—clinched the historic stat line and the victory.
Jokić’s efficiency was staggering. He shot 13-of-22 from the field, secured 21 rebounds against a Suns team featuring Jusuf Nurkić, and surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s record for assists by a center in a game (previously 21). His 22 assists accounted for 64 points of Denver’s total, while his rebounds represented nearly half of the team’s 43. Add in three steals, and Jokić’s all-around impact was undeniable.
This wasn’t a one-off fluke—it was the latest chapter in Jokić’s remarkable 2024-25 season. The 30-20-20 game marked his 29th triple-double of the year and the 159th of his career, trailing only Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson, and Magic Johnson on the all-time list. Earlier in his career, he’d notched 30-20-10 games, including a 32-point, 21-rebound, 10-assist effort in the 2023 NBA Finals, but this performance pushed the boundaries even further.
The Nuggets’ supporting cast played its part. Aaron Gordon erupted for 27 points, hitting a career-high seven three-pointers, while Braun added 18 off the bench. Yet, it was Jokić’s vision and leadership that stole the show. Coach Michael Malone praised him as a “generational talent,” noting that few players could control a game so completely. Braun echoed the sentiment, calling the feat “something we’ll tell our grandkids about.”
As of March 11, 2025, Jokić’s milestone resonates across the league. Already a three-time MVP and 2023 champion, he continues to redefine the center position. While he downplayed the achievement postgame—focusing instead on Denver’s next matchup against Oklahoma City—his peers and fans recognize the magnitude. In an era of athletic wings and sharpshooting guards, Jokić’s methodical brilliance proves that greatness comes in many forms.
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