May 27, 2025 — Denver, CO
As the NBA season winds down and the league looks toward the playoffs, one man continues to redefine greatness on the hardwood: Nikola Jokić. The Serbian superstar, already a two-time MVP and NBA champion, is now on pace to break not only every major triple-double and double-double record — but to do so in a fraction of the time it took other legends to build their legacies.
To put it in perspective, let’s look at the numbers:
•Michael Jordan, widely considered the greatest of all time, finished his career with 28 triple-doubles.
•Kobe Bryant: 21
•Shaquille O’Neal: 1
•Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 21
•Hakeem Olajuwon: 14
•Tim Duncan: 4
•Bill Russell: 14
•Even Magic Johnson, the iconic facilitator of the 1980s, amassed 138 triple-doubles.
•LeBron James, the closest active player in this race, currently sits at 122.
Meanwhile, Luka Dončić, just 25 years old, has racked up an impressive 84 triple-doubles in significantly less time. Yet even Dončić’s rapid ascent pales in comparison to the absolute dominance of Nikola Jokić.
As of today, Jokić boasts 164 triple-doubles in the regular season alone — a number that doesn’t even include his playoff performances, which are equally historic. Advanced statistical tracking indicates that Jokić has narrowly missed nearly 390 triple-doubles, often being just one rebound or one assist shy. Had those close calls gone his way, he’d already be in an untouchable stratosphere.
In the realm of double-doubles, Jokić is equally lethal, regularly finishing games with high-efficiency scoring, elite rebounding, and pinpoint playmaking. He’s become not only the most complete big man the game has ever seen but arguably the most complete player, period.
Beyond the box score, Jokić is also climbing the ranks in:
•Field Goal Percentage: Among the best for players averaging 20+ PPG.
•Defensive Rebounds: Routinely leading the league.
•Offensive Rebounds: Dominates the glass on both ends.
•Steals: Surprisingly high for a center, showcasing his IQ and anticipation.
Jokić’s ability to do everything on the court — score, pass, rebound, defend, and control the tempo — has many analysts rethinking what it means to be the “greatest.” While debates about GOAT status often center around Jordan, LeBron, or Kareem, a new name must now be included in every serious conversation:
Nikola Jokić — the best to ever play the game? At this rate, it’s not just a hot take — it’s a statistical inevitability.
If he continues at this pace, by the end of next year, Jokić could own every major triple-double and double-double record in NBA history, making his case not just compelling — but undeniable.
