Nikola Jokić Shatters NBA Record with Triple-Double Masterclass – Is Another MVP Trophy Locked Up?

DENVER — Nikola Jokić is turning the first week of the 2025-26 NBA season into his personal highlight reel, and the Denver Nuggets superstar is now on the brink of a milestone no player has ever reached. After recording his fourth consecutive triple-double to open the campaign—21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a 122-88 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans—Jokić tied Oscar Robertson (1961-62) and Russell Westbrook (2016-17) for the longest such streak to start a season. Jokić can stand alone in NBA history Friday night when Denver hosts the Portland Trail Blazers. One more all-around masterpiece would make him the first player ever to begin a season with five straight triple-doubles, cementing the two-time MVP’s reputation as the league’s most versatile weapon. Why Jokić’s start matters • Record watch: With 82 triple-doubles already on his résumé, Jokić is rapidly closing in on Magic Johnson’s 138 for third all-time. • Team impact: Denver is 4-0 and owns the NBA’s top net rating, outscoring opponents by 18.5 points per 100 possessions when Jokić is on the floor. • MVP narrative: Voter fatigue didn’t stop him from reclaiming the trophy in 2025; a historic start positions him as the early favorite for a third MVP in four years. Inside the numbers Through four games, Jokić is averaging 23.8 points, 14.0 rebounds and 11.5 assists while shooting 63 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, no center has ever opened a season with averages that high in all three categories. What’s driving the surge Coach Michael Malone has staggered Jokić’s minutes to maximize his playmaking against second units, and the Nuggets are pushing pace after defensive rebounds. Nearly 30 percent of Jokić’s assists have come in transition, up from 17 percent last year, giving wings Michael Porter Jr. and rookie Dalton Knecht easy looks at the rim. Friday’s matchup to watch Portland ranks 28th in defensive rebounding; second-chance opportunities could fuel another stat-stuffing night for Jokić. The Blazers will likely deploy a combo of Deandre Ayton and rookie Marek Bajić, but neither has the passing IQ to keep Jokić occupied on the other end, enabling him to roam as a help defender. What it means for Denver’s repeat bid The Nuggets rode Jokić’s brilliance to a title in 2023 and fell just short in 2024. If the “Joker” maintains anything close to this level, Denver’s depth questions fade into the background, and a second championship parade down Speer Boulevard becomes a realistic expectation. Looking ahead After Portland, Denver embarks on a four-game Eastern swing that includes marquee showdowns with the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics—both top-five defenses. If Jokić’s triple-double train survives that gauntlet, the conversation may shift from “best big man” to “best start in NBA history.” Key takeaway Nikola Jokić isn’t just padding stats; he’s redefining what’s possible for a modern center. One more historic performance will etch his name atop a list that even Robertson and Westbrook couldn’t reach, and it could be only the first record to fall in a season that’s beginning to feel legendary.