Nikola Jokic's 11th career playoff triple-double was the main catalyst as the Denver Nuggets eliminated the Phoenix Suns in a blowout Game 6 victory, 125-100, to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
The battered Suns couldn't overcome Nikola Jokic and his 11th career playoff triple-double in Game 6.
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 12, 2023
Breakdown from @RyanYoung44 ➡️ https://t.co/RYuNFr1bS6 pic.twitter.com/7hghv9Y0Vs
The Serbian notched 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists while shooting a highly efficient 13-of-18 from the field.
Jokic tonight:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 12, 2023
32 PTS
10 REB
12 AST
13-18 FG
+28
Joker now has more 30-point triple-doubles in the playoffs than every center in NBA history combined. pic.twitter.com/YddwNo2XKl
Read more: Mark Jackson slammed for MVP ballot list without Jokic
Nikola Jokic Torches the Suns
Jokic's brilliant Game 6 was not his only dazzling performance against the Suns. It was already his third triple-double and second consecutive of the Western Conference Semifinals matchup.
Nicknamed "Joker," he also dropped double digits in three statistical categories in Games 3 and 5 against Phoenix en route to averaging a triple-double for the entire series.
Nikola Jokić averaged a triple double in the series vs. the Suns 👏
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 12, 2023
◾️ 24 PTS | 19 REB | 5 AST
◾️ 39 PTS | 16 REB | 5 AST
◾️ 30 PTS | 17 REB | 17 AST
◾️ 53 PTS | 4 REB | 11 AST
◾️ 29 PTS | 13 REB | 12 AST
◾️ 32 PTS | 10 REB | 12 AST pic.twitter.com/A0A5xl9mzb
The 6'11 center also scored a playoff career-best 53 points, albeit in the Game 4 loss.
Jokic averaged 34.5 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 10.3 assists in six games against the Suns.
With this feat, he joins LeBron James and Russell Westbrook as the only players to average a 30+ point triple-double in a playoff series. Jokic is the only player to do this while winning the series.
Only 3 players in NBA history have averaged a 30+ point triple-double in a Playoff series.
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 12, 2023
LeBron James – 2017 NBA Finals
33.6 PTS, 12 REB, 10 AST
Russell Westbrook – 2017 WC First Round
37.4 PTS, 11.6 REB, 10.8 AST
Nikola Jokic – 2023 WC Semifinals
34.5 PTS, 13.2 REB, 10.3… pic.twitter.com/8Ly8lkbu2W
The big man has been sensational for Denver this postseason, with his pinpoint passing, clutch baskets, and timely rebounds helping the Nuggets go deep in the playoffs this year.
With the win, the Nuggets are eagerly waiting for the winner of the Warriors-Lakers series in the other bracket for their Western Conference Finals opponent.
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