MILWAUKEE — With 1:54 remaining in the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic made league history.
Jokic likely broke Jim Tucker’s previous record for fastest triple-double, a mark that had stood for more than 60 years. Tucker, a forward who played for the Syracuse Nationals, notched a triple-double in 17 minutes in 1955. In just 16 minutes against Milwaukee, Jokic registered 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. His record-clinching assist resulted in a Wilson Chandler three.
The feat hasn’t been confirmed by the Elias Sports Bureaus or the team, but tonight it was believed to be the fastest a triple-double in league history. Officially, Jokic recorded the fastest triple-double in the last 20 years.
Denver won 134-123. In the win, the Nuggets also tied their franchise record for three-pointers made in a game with 24.
The triple-double was Jokic’s fifth of the season and the first time the 22-year-old has recorded back-to-back triple-doubles in his career. Jokic finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists Tuesday versus the Spurs.
Last season, Russell Westbrook recorded what was the second-fastest triple-double in league history in 18 minutes.
Jokic finished the first half with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists as Denver tallied 74 points. As a team, the Nuggets shot 63.6 percent from the field and 13-19 (68.4 percent) from three-point range.
A 6-0 Bucks’ run to open the third quarter closed Denver’s 12-point halftime margin to six. The Bucks were within nine late in the fourth, but Denver’s offense carried the Nuggets to their 32nd win of the season. Thursday was also only Denver’s ninth victory of the season away from Pepsi Center.
Denver and Milwaukee combine to shoot 25-47 in the first quarter for 63 points. Gary Harris had 14 points in the first quarter, Will Barton had 13. Six points, six rebounds, six assists for Jokic after one.
On the night, the Nuggets shot 55.3 percent from the field and 24-40 (60 percent) from three. For Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo matched Jokic’s triple-double with an impressive 36-point, 10-rebounds, 13-assist line.
