Nikola Jokic made NBA history on Tuesday night, recording the most points ever scored in a triple-double with a jaw-dropping 61-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist performance in a double-overtime thriller against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While the Denver Nuggets ultimately lost the game 140-139, Jokic etched his name atop one of the most prestigious lists in league history, surpassing legends like Luka Doncic, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor.
1. Nikola Jokic – 61 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists
T-2. Luka Doncic – 60 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists
T-2. James Harden – 60 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists
4. Russell Westbrook – 57 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists
T-5. Wilt Chamberlain 53 points, 32 rebounds, 14 assists
T-5. James Harden – 53 points, 16 rebounds, 17 assists
7. Elgin Baylor – 52 points, 25 rebounds, 10 assists
T-8. Wilt Chamberlain – 51 points, 29 rebounds, 11 assists
T-8. James Harden – 51 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists
T-8. Russell Westbrook – 51 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists
T-12. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 50 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists
T-12. Elgin Baylor – 50 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists
T-12. Richie Guerin – 50 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists
T-12. James Harden – 50 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists
T-12. James Harden – 50 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists
T-12. Russell Westbrook – 50 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists
Before Jokic’s masterpiece, Doncic and Harden shared the previous record with 60-point triple-doubles. Luka had 60 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 2022 overtime classic against the Knicks. Harden, during his MVP-level 2018 campaign, dropped 60, 10, and 11 against the Magic.
Westbrook, the triple-double king, reached 57, while Wilt’s monstrous 53-point, 32-rebound, 14-assist line in 1968 remained untouched for decades. Jokic now stands alone with a historic 61-point triple-double, further cementing his place as one of the most complete and dominant players the game has ever seen.
Jokic did it all: 18-of-29 from the field, six three-pointers, 19-of-21 from the free throw line, and he played over 52 minutes without sitting in the second half. Even in defeat, the basketball world could do nothing but marvel.
Anthony Edwards, who led the Timberwolves to victory with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, could only tip his hat to the Serbian superstar.
Jokic not only made history—he came within inches of dragging an undermanned Denver squad to victory. Without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets leaned entirely on Jokic’s brilliance, and he delivered a masterpiece. But in the end, it was Russell Westbrook’s late-game blunders—a missed layup and a foul on a three-point attempt—that cost Denver the game.
Even still, Jokic’s brilliance shone through. He’s now averaging 29.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.2 assists, and 1.8 steals this season, on 57.5% shooting from the field and 41.6% from three. No center in league history has combined efficiency, playmaking, and scoring like this before and no other player has ever finished in the top 3 of four major categories until now.
With this historic triple-double, Nikola Jokic now holds a record that may never be broken, and his status as one of the greatest players of all time continues to grow.
