Nikola Jokic Dominates In Denver Nuggets Win Over Cleveland Cavaliers

Denver Nuggets megastar Nikola Jokic picked up right where he left off in his first game back from the All-Star break. The two-time MVP posted yet another overpowering triple-double on Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, totalling 24 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists in a 115-109 win.

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Jokic hit eight of his 13 field goal attempts and all six of his free throws. He achieved his triple-double before the end of the third quarter. It was his NBA-best 22nd triple-double of the season. Any speculation that a triple-double is an arbitrary marker of success should be put to bed; the Nuggets are a ridiculous 22-0 when Jokic achieves the feat.

For the season, Jokic is averaging 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game with an NBA-best .704 true shooting percentage. He's the rightful MVP favorite and an advanced stats god; he leads the association in player efficiency rating (31.8), win share per 48 (.318), defensive rebound percentage (31.6), and assists percentage (47.6). He's one of the most overwhelming offensive threats basketball has ever seen.

The Nuggets are a Western Conference-best 42-18 and sport a massive 6.0 game lead over the second-place Memphis Grizzlies. Unless the Phoenix Suns or Dallas Mavericks morph into juggernauts following the massive trade deadline acquisitions of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nuggets should be favorites to make the Finals.

The Nuggets travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies on Saturday night.