Nikola Jokic has 174 career triple-doubles and should surpass Oscar Robertson (181) for second this season.
Great people make it routine, even if it is not easy. Which brings us to Nikola Jokic and the fine art of the triple-double.
His tendency to juggle statistical multi-tasking has moved from casual to persistent and, so far this year, habitual. It’s actually a mild surprise when Jokic comes up short in double-figure points, rebounds and assists… about as rare as the Oklahoma City Thunder losing a game in 2025-26.
For anyone else scoring a triple-double in the NBA, it’s the headlines, a career accomplishment for some, wow. When it’s Jokic, it’s a shrug and a well-he-does,
And in NBA history, no center had achieved triple-doubles until Jokic developed a penchant for it. That’s what makes his triple-doubles so unprecedented, so unusual, so impressive. His passing makes those triple-doubles possible and puts him away from other big men who collect double-doubles in points and rebounds. That’s the main reason the Denver Nuggets center has had three Kia MVPs and two runner-up finishes over the past five seasons – and is having the best statistical start of his career.
The NBA didn’t recognize blocks until 1973-74, and historians will remind you that Wilt Chamberlain, in addition to his enormous scoring and rebounding, shot at a rapid (and undecided) rate. Certainly Chamberlain had some triple-doubles in his day with those blocks. (Wilt also led the league in assists in a season when assist leaders were ranked based on their total, not per game average, so his average was not a triple.)
What Jokic is doing has probably been taken for granted by the basketball public, but it shouldn’t be, and he’s certainly not in the race for MVP. He is also No. 1 on the MVP ladder this week.
Only Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook made triple-doubles look that easy, and Westbrook won MVP before people got used to it (and he didn’t win any more triple-doubles in his subsequent seasons). And, if it’s that easy, why can’t dozens of players knock down triple-doubles (except from the 3-point arc)?
Jokic has 174 career triple-doubles and should surpass Robertson (181) for second this season. With Westbrook leading in career home runs (205), the 30-year-old Jokic will likely become the all-time leader at some point.
He has 10 triple-doubles in 17 games played this season (on 62% shooting efficiency). Some perspective: In his third season, he had 10 Total triple-doubles, and in his second MVP season (2021–22), he had 19. So he’s more than halfway there, and it’s Thanksgiving week.
Setting the stage this week: Stephen Curry was the point guard of his generation, a guy who clearly changed the game, owned the 3-point shot, became the first unanimous MVP winner, won a championship, and even put himself on a first-name basis with non-basketball fans.
Perhaps a change is underway as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks to be a strong takeover at the position. Gilgeous-Alexander is doing for the mid-range what Curry did for the 3-pointer, he has an MVP, a championship and can put up multiples much earlier. The two will meet at the Warriors in Oklahoma City on Tuesday (11 ET, MoreShould be fun.
Data to know: Only two players in Philadelphia 76ers history managed to drop 50 points and nine assists in a game. The latest is Tyrese Maxi, who is 8th on the ladder. Second? Wither.
What they are saying: “He may be the best player in NBA history.” – Former coach and current TV analyst Stan Van Gundy on Jokic.
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s rankings: No. 1
Season statistics: 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds, 11.1 helps
His Case: What’s admirable about Jokic is his durability. Unlike others on this ladder, he has not missed a game. Only once in his career has he played fewer than 70 games in a season (69 games in 2022–23). Jokic also doesn’t like to rest, telling coaches that he would rather stay on the floor and stay in rhythm. The Nuggets have historically suffered losses whenever he’s been on the bench or dressed in road clothes, at least they did before this season.
Another thing: Jokic sometimes gets a reprieve for his defense – this is more of a criticism from people looking for shortcomings – yet he’s 18th in the league in steals per game (1.6 SPG). Last season, he led the way in points, rebounds, assists and steals, and is on pace to do so again.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s rankings: number 2
Season statistics: 32.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.6 helps
His Case: Gilgeous-Alexander puts OKC games out of reach, often until halftime, certainly until the third quarter, before he takes the rest of the night off. His scoring, shooting efficiency and ability to protect the ball (less than two turnovers per game) strengthen his MVP case.
Still operating without All-NBA teammate Jalen Williams (who will reportedly debut on Friday), Gilgeous-Alexander remains the unquestioned centerpiece of the Thunder’s offense. It will be curious how much Gilgeous-Alexander misses when Williams returns, and if so, whether that — with him resting in the fourth quarter — will impact his spot on the ladder given the stiff competition for MVP this season.
3. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
Last week’s rankings: No. 3
Season statistics: 35.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.2 helps
His Case: He’s coming off one of his most impressive single-game efforts of the season, an efficient, close to triple-double of 43-points against the Clippers, where Doncic showed off all the supreme skills. What’s interesting is how comfortable he seems not only with the Lakers and his role, but he also seems to like his surroundings in LA.
Also, how is it? Dončić already In the top 10 in Lakers history with a 40-point game? He came only yesterday. He has more 40-pointers than any other player this season.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s rankings: No. 4
Season statistics: 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 6.8 helps
His Case: Antetokounmpo was a potential ladder leader pre-injury, powering the Bucks on both ends of the night and being one of the league’s best scorers (63.6% from the floor, 50% from deep) and rebounders.
Of course, Antetokounmpo must be available to help his team and remain eligible for seasonal awards. For the sake of his place on the ladder, his return should be any day now as he recovers from an adductor injury. However, he has missed six of Milwaukee’s 19 games and the Bucks are beginning to fade in the East. Look at it another way: The truest indication of a player’s value is when his team becomes worthless without him.
5. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Last week’s rankings: No. 5
Season statistics: 28.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 9.3 helps
His Case: Cunningham would love to get back that missed free-throw attempt that ultimately cost the Pistons vs. the Celtics on Wednesday and ended their 13-game winning streak. But sure, he put Detroit in position to win that close game — 42 points, eight rebounds, five assists — as well as others during that hot streak.
As November approaches, Cunningham is averaging 31.1 ppg, 9.9 apg and 6.4 rpg as Detroit has gone 9-1 in games he has played. It deserves a top five ranking on the ladder.
Next 5:
6. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
9. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
10. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
And five more (listed alphabetically): Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves; Brandon Ingram, Toronto Raptors; Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers.
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Shawn Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can email them here spowell@nba.comsearch his collection is here and follow him on x,
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