‘Superman’ Jokic makes astonishing history with Jordan and Wilt but Shaq claims he’d still tear him up in his prime
It was another one of those historic nights for Nikola Jokic. The 30-year-old put up a masterclass on Tuesday night that saw him break multiple records in a narrow loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nikola Jokic posted jaw-dropping numbers against the TimberwolvesGetty The Wolves remarkably overcame a career and NBA-best 61-point triple-double from Jokic as they beat the Nuggets 140-139 in double overtime. Jokic’s 61 points is the most by a player in the NBA this season. It’s also the most points in a triple-double in NBA history, eclipsing Luka Donic’s 60-point triple-double in 2022. The Serbian played 52 minutes and also had ten rebounds and ten assists. “Nikola came up to me after the third quarter and said, ‘Coach, I’m good. Leave me in there. I don’t want to come out. Let me just keep playing,'” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said afterwards. “He was in a good rhythm, obviously — 61 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, 2 steals. The guy is Superman.” Jokic also became the first player since Michael Jordan with 60+ points and 50+ minutes in a game. It comes after Jokic achieved a record not even MJ managed during his career. The Serbian’s triple-double also sees him tie Wilt Chamberlain for the most triple-doubles in a season by a center with 31, and joins Luka Doncic and James Harden as the only players with 60-point triple-doubles. The 2023 NBA champion also tied Shaquille O’Neal for most 50-point games, with the pair having three each. Despite his historic efforts, the T-Wolves managed to grab the win as Anthony Edwards led his side with 34 points. The Nuggets were edged out by the Timberwolves in the endGetty Shaq believes there is a clear winner between him and JokicGetty Jokic is now just the second player in NBA history to lose with a 50-point triple-double, following Chamberlain in 1963. Not long ago, the Denver stud made a stunning piece of NBA history to equal Wilt Chamberlain’s 57-year record. Comparisons have inevitably been made to his fellow big man, Shaq, who was asked how much a matchup between 2001 Shaq and 2025 Jokic would go following the game on Tuesday. His answer caused a bit of controversy online. “Slavian chicken, or wherever he’s from. Slovenian chicken. I’m getting 40, and they’re gonna have to double me,” O’Neal confidently said on Inside the NBA. “You’d tear him up?” host Adam Lefkoe asked. “Yeah,” Shaq responded. “He’s probably going to pick-and-pop and do all that but he probably won’t be in the game for a while. I hit way more twos than he can hit threes. NBA's Greatest Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone 10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals “I’m gonna make his brothers fight me because the first play of the game – elbow… Serban barbeque chicken.” Fans online quickly reacted, dismissing the idea and claiming Jokic would easily beat O’Neal. “Wrong. Jokic would not be an easy matchup for Shaq,” one fan wrote on X. “Jokic is dropping a triple double on Shaq’s head,” another fan said on X. In the end, the Lakers legend gave Jokic his flowers, hailing him as a top-five center of all time. “He’s on that list for me, I wouldn’t put myself on that list. You always gotta count the guys who made me who I am. Kareem, Mr. Chamberlain, and Mr. Russell,” O’Neal said. The Nuggets now sit third in the Western Conference, two wins behind the Houston Rockets.
It was another one of those historic nights for Nikola Jokic.
The 30-year-old put up a masterclass on Tuesday night that saw him break multiple records in a narrow loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Wolves remarkably overcame a career and NBA-best 61-point triple-double from Jokic as they beat the Nuggets 140-139 in double overtime.
Jokic’s 61 points is the most by a player in the NBA this season. It’s also the most points in a triple-double in NBA history, eclipsing Luka Donic’s 60-point triple-double in 2022.
The Serbian played 52 minutes and also had ten rebounds and ten assists.
“Nikola came up to me after the third quarter and said, ‘Coach, I’m good. Leave me in there. I don’t want to come out. Let me just keep playing,'” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said afterwards.
“He was in a good rhythm, obviously — 61 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, 2 steals. The guy is Superman.”
Jokic also became the first player since Michael Jordan with 60+ points and 50+ minutes in a game. It comes after Jokic achieved a record not even MJ managed during his career.
The Serbian’s triple-double also sees him tie Wilt Chamberlain for the most triple-doubles in a season by a center with 31, and joins Luka Doncic and James Harden as the only players with 60-point triple-doubles.
The 2023 NBA champion also tied Shaquille O’Neal for most 50-point games, with the pair having three each.
Despite his historic efforts, the T-Wolves managed to grab the win as Anthony Edwards led his side with 34 points.
Jokic is now just the second player in NBA history to lose with a 50-point triple-double, following Chamberlain in 1963.
Not long ago, the Denver stud made a stunning piece of NBA history to equal Wilt Chamberlain’s 57-year record.
Comparisons have inevitably been made to his fellow big man, Shaq, who was asked how much a matchup between 2001 Shaq and 2025 Jokic would go following the game on Tuesday.
His answer caused a bit of controversy online.
“Slavian chicken, or wherever he’s from. Slovenian chicken. I’m getting 40, and they’re gonna have to double me,” O’Neal confidently said on Inside the NBA.
“You’d tear him up?” host Adam Lefkoe asked.
“Yeah,” Shaq responded.
“He’s probably going to pick-and-pop and do all that but he probably won’t be in the game for a while. I hit way more twos than he can hit threes.
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“I’m gonna make his brothers fight me because the first play of the game – elbow… Serban barbeque chicken.”
Fans online quickly reacted, dismissing the idea and claiming Jokic would easily beat O’Neal.
“Wrong. Jokic would not be an easy matchup for Shaq,” one fan wrote on X.
“Jokic is dropping a triple double on Shaq’s head,” another fan said on X.
In the end, the Lakers legend gave Jokic his flowers, hailing him as a top-five center of all time.
“He’s on that list for me, I wouldn’t put myself on that list. You always gotta count the guys who made me who I am. Kareem, Mr. Chamberlain, and Mr. Russell,” O’Neal said.
The Nuggets now sit third in the Western Conference, two wins behind the Houston Rockets.
