Like sending a ball of paper into the trash. Here's roughly how Nikola Jokic scored a basket that will certainly go down as one of the craziest of this season. The Nuggets pivot, at the heart of a gargantuan evening with 35 points, 22 rebounds and 17 assists passed to the Kings, scored at the siren of the third quarter from his camp, and even from his own 3-point line ! All in the purest Jokic style with absolute nonchalance and relaxation, without the slightest outpouring of joy.
“ I knew it was going to come in » he reacted right after the matchwith a slight smile. “ It was straight to the basket. I thought 'this will probably fall in'. The trajectory was pretty good. It's not a high percentage shot, but I gave it a shot in hopes of making it. Who knows? Maybe it will fit. These are three points. I think this can help us. »
The first answered prayer of his career
There would have been reason to celebrate, however, like everything else in the Ball Arena around him. Nikola Jokic succeeded in the first “prayer” of his career according to Basketball Reference criterianamely shots taken beyond the halfway line. A category in which he is number one in terms of attempts since the start of the season (10) ahead of Mikal Bridges (8), Tyrese Haliburton (6), Coby White (6) and Fred Van Vleet (5).
“ He had come close to putting it in several times this season, so when the ball left his hand, I thought there was a chance… And then boom! » laughs Russell Westbrook.
With this astonishing shot, the Serbian becomes the sixth player this season to make a shot from his own camp with Scoot Henderson (Rockets), Jake LaRavia (Grizzlies), AJ Green (Bucks), Jalen Smith (Bulls) and of course Trae Young, whose attempt gave the victory at the buzzer against the Jazz. Far behind the historic records of Stephen Curry and Jamal Crawford, number one in the annals of the NBA (since the league lists shot distances) with six successful baskets from their own camp, again according to Basketball Reference.
Nikola Jokic's “ave maria” shot could even enter the Top 10 of the longest shots taken in the history of the entire NBA. Officially measured by the league at 20m10 from the basket, it is a safe bet that this measurement will be re-evaluated. The three-time MVP shoots his warhead at the same level as his own free throw line, located 21.3 meters from the basket on the other side of the field, while being on the side of the floor. Which could allow it to slip into the middle of the hierarchy of the most distant prayers.
Even if this must be taken with a grain of salt, because the distances measured sometimes seem random…
The Top 10 longest successful shots
- 1) Baron Davis: 27.1 meters with the Hornets, 02/17/2001 against the Bucks
- 2) Norm Van Lier: 25.6 meters with the Bulls, 01/19/1977 against the Spurs
- 2) Magic Johnson: 25.6 meters with the Lakers, 04/23/1987 against the Nuggets
- 4) LeBron James: 25.3 meters with the Cavaliers, 01/3/2007 against the Celtics
- 5) Herb Williams: 24.7 meters with the Pacers, 01/8/1986 against the Kings
- 6) Ziaire Williams: 24 meters with the Grizzlies, 01/22/2023 against the Suns
- 7) Zoran Planinic: 23.5 meters with the Nets, 9/11/2005 against the Jazz
- 8) Vince Carter: 22 meters with the Grizzlies, 02/19/2006 against the Wolves
- 8) Darius Miller: 22 meters with the Pelicans, 04/28/2018 against the Warriors
- 10) Andre Drummond: 21.6 meters with the Pistons, 02/02/2016 against the Raptors
Among the few striking shots from very, very far away, Jae Crowder had, despite himself, managed a shot of over 28.6 meters by missing a throw-in from his own baseline, which had finished its course in the circle and had not validated of course. The farthest winning field goal in NBA history remains the property of Devonte Graham, author of a 19.8-meter buzzer beater with the Pelicans against the Thunder on December 16, 2021.
Small bonus gift, the ten most distant shoots of the last ten years:
Nikola Jokić's 66-foot buzzer-beater inspired us…
TOP 10 LONGEST SHOTS OVER THE PAST DECADE!
Enjoy pic.twitter.com/wmqhftcePY
— NBA (@NBA) January 24, 2025
