If the Nuggets struggle this season, Nikola Jokiche is thriving like never before. And even more this weekend since in two days, he scored 56 points in Washington (his career record) then 48 the next day, in a victory in Atlanta. This is already his fourth game with more than 40 points this season, while last year he only had three.
It is above all a good reaction to bounce back after the setback against the very weak Wizards and against a team which nevertheless remained on six victories in a row.
“I was spoiled by having the best seat to watch this player for ten years now, night after night”, rejoices Michael Malone. “As soon as he has to carry us, he never runs away, never complains. I like his mental strength, and his physical strength. »
Westbrook-Jokic, a duo that works
Nikola Jokic is indeed making his power and presence speak for himself this season. As soon as he gets the rebound, he accelerates, as rarely. And when it's not him, it's Russell Westbrook (11 assists) who puts his foot down.
“When Russ is on the field with Nikola, he always looks for him” continues Mike Malone. “He’s still trying to find it, and it really makes sense.” When you play with the best player in the world, you want to try to give him the ball. »
Accustomed to playing at his own pace, the Serbian does not hesitate to sprint, to set the pace, no doubt precisely because the 2023 champions are skating and he must do more… if it is possible as he is already omnipresent.
Against the Hawks, in addition to his 48 points at 17/29 shooting, the All-Star added 14 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 interceptions. He therefore finished this “back-to-back” with 104 points, 30 rebounds and 16 assists to his credit…
| Nikola Jokic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2015-16 | DEN | 80 | 22 | 51.2 | 33.3 | 81.1 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 9.9 |
| 2016-17 | DEN | 73 | 28 | 57.8 | 32.4 | 82.5 | 2.9 | 6.9 | 9.8 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 16.7 |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 75 | 33 | 49.9 | 39.6 | 85.0 | 2.6 | 8.1 | 10.7 | 6.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 18.5 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 80 | 31 | 51.1 | 30.7 | 82.1 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 7.2 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 73 | 32 | 52.8 | 31.4 | 81.7 | 2.3 | 7.5 | 9.7 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 19.9 |
| 2020-21 ★ | DEN | 72 | 35 | 56.6 | 38.8 | 86.8 | 2.8 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 8.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 ★ | DEN | 74 | 34 | 58.3 | 33.7 | 81.0 | 2.8 | 11.0 | 13.8 | 7.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 69 | 34 | 63.2 | 38.3 | 82.2 | 2.4 | 9.4 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 24.5 |
| 2023-24 ★ | DEN | 79 | 35 | 58.3 | 35.9 | 81.7 | 2.8 | 9.5 | 12.4 | 9.0 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 26.4 |
| 2024-25 | DEN | 17 | 38 | 55.9 | 50.0 | 81.7 | 3.9 | 9.5 | 13.4 | 10.4 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 29.9 |
| Total | 692 | 31 | 55.7 | 35.5 | 82.7 | 2.7 | 8.1 | 10.8 | 7.0 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 21.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
