Nikola Jokic is not only two wins away from being a first-time NBA champion, but he’s getting close to making NBA playoff history as well.
With a maximum of four games left in the finals, barring a serious injury, Jokic seems to already have the rebounding title and assist crown for the postseason wrapped up. The Denver Nuggets’ two-time MVP leads all players with his 241 boards and 182 dimes, well ahead of second-place Anthony Davis’s 225 rebounds and teammate Jamal Murray’s 122 assists.
In fact, the only player on either the Nuggets or Miami Heat within 40 boards of Jokic is Miami’s Bam Adebayo, who’s recorded 204 rebounds.
Where the Joker’s chance at NBA history may come down to the wire is in scoring. Jokic leads all players this postseason with 549 points, while Jimmy Butler of the Heat right on his heels at 546. The only other players still competing in the postseason in the top 10 are too far behind Jokic and Butler, as Murray’s fourth in scoring with 493 points and Adebayo is eighth at 372 points.
Jokic also leads all players this postseason in offensive rebounds (66), field goals (207) and win shares (4.6) among other categories.
The 28-year-old Serbian had a historic performance in Denver’s Game 3 victory over Miami on Wednesday, becoming the first play in NBA playoff history to post at least 30 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. Jokic finished the 109-94 win with 32 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists to help give the Nuggets a 2-1 series edge.
