The Denver Nuggets walked into Thursday night’s clash against the Orlando Magic with their rotation stretched thin and their defensive spine almost entirely removed. Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Peyton Watson — three of Denver’s most reliable defenders — were all unavailable. On paper, it looked like a trap game. On the floor, it became another chapter in the Nikola Jokic era.
Behind a commanding 126-115 home victory, the Nuggets once again leaned on the unshakeable brilliance of Jokic, who produced a historic triple-double: 23 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists. Alongside Jamal Murray, who complemented him in the scoring department, Jokic ensured Denver never lost control. But beyond the win itself, the night carried far greater significance.
With those 13 assists, Jokic officially surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the most prolific passing center in NBA history, moving to 5,663 career assists — and counting.
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Passing Royalty: Nikola Jokic Surpasses Kareem in Record Time
For decades, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s assist total stood as a quiet but unchallenged benchmark for centers. The league evolved, offenses changed, and big men drifted away from being primary facilitators. Yet Kareem’s 5,660 assists over 1,560 games remained untouched until Jokic arrived and shattered the timeline.
Jokic passed the mark in just 771 career games, less than half the number Abdul-Jabbar needed. That fact alone captures the scale of the achievement. In NBA history, no center has even reached 3,000 career assists in 800 games or fewer except Jokic. He did not just break the record; he obliterated the traditional ceiling for his position.
What separates Jokic is not just volume, but vision. His passing arsenal includes no-look dimes through traffic, touch passes out of double teams, cross-court lasers and subtle handoffs that dismantle defensive schemes. Denver’s offense is built around his decision-making, and opponents know it. Yet still struggle to stop it.
Asked about the record afterward, Jokic brushed it aside with his trademark nonchalance. “Those things are something for after the career,” he said. “After my career, I’m gonna look back while on the porch drinking beers and tell lies to my kids.” The quote felt fitting. Jokic makes history without chasing it.
A Season for the Ages: MVP-Level Dominance Continues
The record-breaking night is only a snapshot of a season that continues to defy historical comparisons. Jokic is currently averaging 29.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 10.9 assists per game — numbers that place him firmly in triple-double territory while maintaining staggering efficiency.
His shooting splits — 61.2 percent from the field, 42.6 percent from three and 84.0 percent from the free-throw line — underline how ruthlessly effective he has been. Defenses cannot sag off him, cannot double him without consequences, and cannot speed him up. Jokic plays at his own pace, bending games to his rhythm.
This level of production has once again thrust him into the heart of the MVP conversation. Already a three-time winner, Jokic is on course to secure a fourth MVP, which would further cement his place among the all-time greats. More remarkably, he is poised to become the first player in NBA history to finish top two in MVP voting for six consecutive seasons — a testament to sustained excellence rarely seen in the league.
What makes this season particularly striking is the context. Denver has battled injuries, rotation instability and defensive gaps, yet Jokic’s presence keeps the Nuggets firmly in contention. Against Orlando, with multiple key defenders sidelined, he controlled the game without forcing it, trusting the system and elevating those around him.
Jamal Murray’s scoring outbursts and timely shot-making remain crucial, but Jokic remains the axis. Every possession runs through his hands, every adjustment starts with how opponents choose to guard him — and most nights, no answer exists.
The assist record may be the headline, but the broader picture tells a deeper story. Jokic is not simply the best passing center ever; he is redefining what the position can be. In an era dominated by athleticism and pace, he thrives on intelligence, touch and anticipation.
Thursday night was historic, but it felt routine — and that may be Jokic’s greatest achievement. He has made the extraordinary feel normal, the impossible feel inevitable. As the numbers keep climbing and the accolades continue to stack up, one truth grows clearer with every game: Nikola Jokic is no longer chasing NBA history. He is shaping it.
