Jokic & Westbrook Make History in Nuggets’ Win Over Jazz
In a breathtaking performance, the Denver Nuggets cruised to a 132-121 victory over the Utah Jazz, thanks to the dynamic duo of Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook, who both notched triple-doubles in the same game. This remarkable feat positions them among only eleven pairs of teammates ever to achieve this milestone in NBA regular-season history!
A Triple-Double Showdown Against the Jazz
Defeating the Utah Jazz isn’t necessarily the most daunting task in the NBA this season, but doing so while having two players secure triple-doubles is a whole different ballgame. The Nuggets basked in this glory as both Jokic and Westbrook delivered stellar performances.
Jokic Dominates, Westbrook Stays Efficient
Nikola Jokic was nothing short of spectacular, pouring in 36 points, alongside a jaw-dropping 22 rebounds and 11 assists. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook played a slightly more tempered game, contributing 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. What’s worth noting is Westbrook’s immaculate shooting night; he went 7-for-7 from the field without a single turnover, proving just how efficient he can be.
Westbrook Joins Elite Company
In contrast, Jokic faced some challenges with his shot, hitting 14 of 33 attempts and committing 2 turnovers. However, Westbrook’s performance marked him as just the third player in history to achieve a “perfect” triple-double, joining legends Domantas Sabonis and… Nikola Jokic himself! What a crew to be a part of!
Rewriting the History Books
As they celebrated their victory, they etched their names into the record books according to @Statzman—becoming the eleventh pair of teammates to accomplish this impressive feat during a regular-season game. Here’s a look at some of the notable pairs who have done this before:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson
- Larry Bird and Robert Parish
- Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen
- Vince Carter and Jason Kidd
- Lonzo Ball and LeBron James
- Paul George and Russell Westbrook
- Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler (2x)
- Ja Morant and Jonas Valanciunas
- Mason Plumlee and Dennis Smith Jr.
- LeBron James and Russell Westbrook
Historical Context
For Westbrook, it’s his third time making this elite list, while Jokic previously hit this milestone with Jamal Murray during the NBA Finals in 2023. If this game is any indication, the Nuggets are heating up as they aim for title contention this season!