Inside The Nuggets

Nikola Jokic Made NBA History in Nuggets' Loss to Cavaliers

The Denver Nuggets fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but Nikola Jokic made NBA history.

Joey Linn

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks on before game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks on before game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. / Andrew Wevers-Imagn Images
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The Denver Nuggets have been very up and down this NBA season, despite getting historic production from Nikola Jokic. Entering Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with an 11-8 record, Denver was coming off a solid win over the Golden State Warriors. As has been a trend in recent weeks for the Nuggets, that win was followed by a loss.

Falling to the Cavaliers by final score of 126-114, Denver was unable to hand Cleveland its fourth loss of the season. Instead, the Cavaliers became the first team to 20 wins. The last nine games for Denver have been alternating wins and losses. Unable to maintain any momentum, the Nuggets seem stuck in mediocrity right now. 

As previously mentioned, Jokic is amid another historic season. Continuing that on Thursday, Jokic finished with 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists. Notching his 139th career triple double, Jokic passed Lakers legend Magic Johnson for third all-time.

Via Nuggets: "Third most triple-doubles in NBA history belongs to Nikola Jokić 🃏"

Considered by many to be the favorite to win his fourth MVP award, Jokic is putting up historic numbers. The Nuggets will need to start winning more games in order for his MVP buzz to continue growing, but the numbers certainly speak for themselves right now.

This was the fourth time in Jokic’s career he posted the line of at least 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists which is the third-most all-time (via Basketball Reference’s StatHead). Only Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain have done it more times.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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