History of Nikola Jokić in Timeline

Nikola Jokić, nicknamed "Joker", is a Serbian professional basketball player renowned as one of the greatest NBA players and centers ever. Playing for the Denver Nuggets, he is considered a significant NBA draft success. Jokić is an eight-time NBA All-Star and seven-time All-NBA Team selection. He notably won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2020–21, 2021–22, and 2023-24. Jokić also represents Serbia internationally, having secured a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1953: Quadruple-Overtime Game

In Game 3 against Portland, Jokić logged 65 minutes during the game, the most since 1953, where another quadruple-overtime game occurred in the playoffs.

1955: Besting Jim Tucker's previous record

On February 15, Jokić recorded the quickest triple-double in NBA history in 14 minutes and 33 seconds, besting Jim Tucker's previous record of 17 minutes from 1955.

1961: Joining Oscar Robertson

In 1961, Jokić became just the second player in NBA history to have at least 2,000 points, 900 rebounds, and 700 assists in a season, joining Oscar Robertson (1961–62).

1963: Joining an exclusive group

In 1963, Jokić had his eighth career playoff triple-double and became just the fifth player in NBA history to record a 25-point, 15-rebound and 10-assist stat line in a clinching opportunity, joining Robertson, Chamberlain, James Worthy, and James.

1966: Draft Era

For his regular season performance, Jokić won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award; in doing so, he became the first-ever player to be drafted in the second round of the common draft era (since 1966) to win the award.

1966: Wilt Chamberlain posted a triple-double without missing a field goal

In 1966, Wilt Chamberlain was one of the only players in NBA history to post a triple-double with 30 or more points without missing a field goal.

1967: Joining an exclusive group

In 1967, Jokić had his eighth career playoff triple-double and became just the fifth player in NBA history to record a 25-point, 15-rebound and 10-assist stat line in a clinching opportunity, joining Robertson, Chamberlain, James Worthy, and James.

1967: Matching Elgin Baylor

In 1967, Jokić was named Western Conference Player of the Month and became the first player since Elgin Baylor in 1967 to start a season with 12 straight games of 20+ points and 10+ rebounds.

1967: Wilt Chamberlain posted a triple-double without missing a field goal

In 1967, Wilt Chamberlain was one of the only players in NBA history to post a triple-double with 30 or more points without missing a field goal.

1967: Breaking Chamberlain's Record

In 1967, during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, Jokić broke Chamberlain's NBA record for triple-doubles in a single postseason, achieving his 14th career playoff triple-double and eighth of the playoffs.

1968: Triple-Double with 40 Points

On December 18, 2022, Jokić put up a triple-double with 40 points, a career-high 27 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 119–115 win over the Charlotte Hornets. He also became the first NBA player since Chamberlain in 1968 to put up at least 35 points, 25 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game.

1968: Chamberlain's Assists

On December 29, 2020, Jokić recorded a then career-high high 18 assists against the Houston Rockets in a 124–111 victory, becoming the first center to record at least 18 assists in a game since Chamberlain in 1968.

1973: Steals Officially Tracked

Since steals were first officially tracked in the 1973–74 season, Jokić had his second career game with at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and five steals, the most by any player.

1975: Most 25-20-10 Games in NBA Playoff History

In 1975, Jokić recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. He has the most 25-20-10 games in NBA playoff history with four. The only other players to put up those numbers in a playoff game are Wilt Chamberlain (twice), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Dave Cowens, but Jokić is the only one to do it since the NBA and ABA merged after the 1975–76 season.

1975: Abdul-Jabbar as Center

On February 6, 2021, Jokić recorded a then career-high 50 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists, and three blocks in a 119–114 loss to the Sacramento Kings. He set a franchise record for being the first Nuggets player with at least 50 points and 10 assists while also becoming the first center to do so since Abdul-Jabbar in 1975.

1976: Abdul-Jabbar 30/20/10 Game

On February 4, 2020, Jokić recorded 30 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 98–95 victory over the Utah Jazz; it was the first 30/20/10 game by any NBA player in four years, and only the third since Abdul-Jabbar in 1976.

1976: Bill Walton Double-Double Games

On February 6, 2021, Jokić opened the season with 20 consecutive double-double games, putting him only behind Bill Walton (34 in 1976–77) since the American Basketball Association merged with the NBA in 1976.

1977: No Turnovers in Playoff Game

In 1977, Jokić was directly responsible for 71 of his team's 112 points and became the first player in NBA history to score or assist on 70+ points in a playoff game without committing a turnover since turnovers were first tracked in 1977–78.

1977: Turnovers Officially Tracked

Since turnovers were officially tracked in the 1977–78 season, only Larry Bird, Luka Dončić, and World B. Free have posted 40+ points, 10+ assists, and 5+ rebounds with zero turnovers in a single game, along with Jokic.

1982: Joining Magic Johnson and LeBron James

In 1982, Jokić became just the third reigning Finals MVP to open an NBA season with a triple-double, joining Magic Johnson (1982) and LeBron James (2016).

1984: Passing Johnson and the Lakers

In 1984, Jokić and the Nuggets surpassed Johnson and the Lakers' record for consecutive team wins when a player had a triple-double in NBA history.

1987: Passing Johnson and the Lakers

In 1987, Jokić and the Nuggets surpassed Johnson and the Lakers' record for consecutive team wins when a player had a triple-double in NBA history.

1987: Teammates with 25 points and 10 assists

In 1987, during Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Jokić and Jamal Murray became only the second pair of teammates in NBA history to each put up at least 25 points and 10 assists in an NBA Finals game since Magic Johnson and James Worthy in the 1987 NBA Finals.

1988: Joining an exclusive group

In 1988, Jokić had his eighth career playoff triple-double and became just the fifth player in NBA history to record a 25-point, 15-rebound and 10-assist stat line in a clinching opportunity, joining Robertson, Chamberlain, James Worthy, and James.

1988: Fat Lever's triple-doubles

In 1988-89, Fat Lever had nine triple-doubles. On March 15, Jokić recorded his eighth triple-double of the season with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, thus setting the most triple-doubles by a Nuggets player in a season since Fat Lever.

1988: Charles Barkley record

On December 27, 2021, Jokić tied his career best with 22 rebounds and added 26 points, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks in a 103–100 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, and became the first player to record 25-plus points, 20-plus rebounds, and five-plus assists in consecutive games since Charles Barkley in 1988.

February 19, 1995: Nikola Jokić's Birth

On February 19, 1995, Nikola Jokić, a Serbian professional basketball player, was born. He is known as a center for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA.

Others born on this day/year

2000: O'Neal MVP Award

For his regular season performance, Jokić won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award; in doing so, he became the first center to win the award since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000.

2006: Jokic's Playoff Debut

In the Nuggets' first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, Jokić became the fourth player in NBA history to record a triple-double in his playoff debut and the first since James in 2006.

May 2009: Anthony's Semifinals Game

In May 2009, Carmelo Anthony scored 41 points in a conference semifinals game. This was the first time a Nuggets player had scored 35+ points in a conference semifinals game since Anthony achieved this feat.

2011: Anthony's All-Star Start

In February 2021, Jokić was selected for his third consecutive All-Star appearance, this time as a starter, becoming the first Nuggets player to start in the All-Star game since Anthony in 2011.

December 2012: Signed with Mega Vizura

In December 2012, Nikola Jokić signed a contract with Mega Vizura to play youth basketball.

February 2013: Signed Four-Year Contract

In February 2013, Nikola Jokić officially signed a four-year contract with Mega Vizura.

March 2013: Ty Lawson earned Player of the Week honors

In March 2013, Ty Lawson earned Player of the Week honors. Nikola Jokić became the 17th Nugget in franchise history to earn Player of the Week honors and the first since Ty Lawson.

2013: Increased Playing Time for Mega Vizura

During the 2013-14 season, Nikola Jokić saw increased playing time on the court for the Mega Vizura senior team, averaging 11.4 points in the Adriatic League.

2013: FIBA Under-19 World Championship

In 2013, Jokić was a member of the Serbian U-19 national basketball team that won the silver medal at the FIBA Under-19 World Championship. He averaged 7.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game during the tournament.

June 26, 2014: Drafted by Denver Nuggets

On June 26, 2014, Nikola Jokić was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. The announcement was overshadowed by a Taco Bell commercial.

2014: Jokić NBA Draft

For his regular season performance, Jokić won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award; in doing so, he became the lowest-drafted player in NBA history to be named MVP, having been selected 41st overall in the 2014 NBA draft.

2014: Drafted by the Denver Nuggets

In 2014, Nikola Jokić was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the NBA draft.

2014: Jokic averaged 15.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game

In the 2014-15 ABA League, Jokic averaged 15.4 points, league-leading 9.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, while leading the league with an index rating of 22.

February 7, 2015: Scored 27 points for Mega Leks

On February 7, 2015, Jokić scored 27 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in an 88–77 loss to Szolnoki Olaj.

March 26, 2015: Named Adriatic League Regular Season MVP

On March 26, 2015, Nikola Jokić was officially named the Adriatic League regular season MVP.

June 8, 2015: Scored 23 points in Serbian League Playoff Semifinals

On June 8, 2015, Nikola Jokić scored 23 points in a loss to Crvena Zvezda in the playoff semifinals of the Serbian League.

July 28, 2015: Signed with Denver Nuggets

On July 28, 2015, Nikola Jokić signed a contract with the Denver Nuggets after playing in the summer league.

January 10, 2016: Recorded then career-high nine assists

On January 10, 2016, Nikola Jokić recorded a then career-high nine assists in a 95–92 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

October 29, 2016: Recorded 23 points and a then career-high 17 rebounds

On October 29, 2016, Nikola Jokić recorded 23 points and a then career-high 17 rebounds in a 115–113 overtime loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

2016: Joining Magic Johnson and LeBron James

In 2016, Jokić became just the third reigning Finals MVP to open an NBA season with a triple-double, joining Magic Johnson (1982) and LeBron James (2016).

2016: 2016 Olympics and Qualifying Tournament

In 2016, Jokić represented Serbia at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, earning tournament MVP honors. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, Jokić and Serbia won the silver medal, losing to the United States in the final game.

2016: NBA All-Rookie First Team Selection

In 2016, Nikola Jokić was voted to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

2016: Silver Medal at the Summer Olympics

In 2016, Nikola Jokić, representing the Serbian national team, won a silver medal at the Summer Olympics.

January 16, 2017: Scored then career-high 30 points

On January 16, 2017, Nikola Jokić scored a then career-high 30 points in a 125–112 victory over the Orlando Magic.

February 28, 2017: Recorded third career triple-double

On February 28, 2017, Nikola Jokić recorded his third career triple-double with 19 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in a 125–107 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

November 7, 2017: Scored a then career-high 41 points

On November 7, 2017, Jokić scored a then career-high 41 points in a 112–104 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

2017: Development of the Sombor Shuffle

Jokić developed his signature move, the "Sombor Shuffle," during his recovery from an ankle injury in 2017.

January 8, 2018: First Triple-Double of the Season

On January 8, 2018, Nikola Jokić recorded his first triple-double of the season with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 124–114 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

July 9, 2018: Signed contract extension with Nuggets

On July 9, 2018, Nikola Jokić signed a five-year, $148 million maximum contract extension with the Denver Nuggets.

2018: Joining Chris Paul

In 2018, Jokić logged 40 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, and no turnovers in a 112–97 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He became the second player in NBA postseason history to finish a game with at least 40 points, 10 assists, and no turnovers, joining Chris Paul (2018).

January 5, 2019: Season-High Performance Against Hornets

On January 5, 2019, Nikola Jokić scored a then season-high 39 points, along with 12 rebounds, six assists, and three steals in a 123–110 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

May 24, 2019: Jokić Announces Participation in 2019 FIBA World Cup

On May 24, 2019, Jokić announced his participation for Serbia at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

November 8, 2019: Game-Winning Jumper Against 76ers

On November 8, 2019, Jokić made a game-winning jumper against the Philadelphia 76ers with 1.2 seconds remaining, to give the Nuggets a 98–97 victory, rallying from a 21-point deficit.

January 6, 2020: Career-High 47 Points Against Hawks

On January 6, 2020, Jokić scored a then career-high 47 points against the Atlanta Hawks in a 123–115 road victory.

October 24, 2020: Jokić Marries Natalija Mačešić

On October 24, 2020, Jokić married his long-time girlfriend, Natalija Mačešić, in his hometown of Sombor.

December 29, 2020: Career-High Assists Against Rockets

2020: Joining an exclusive group

In 2020, Jokić had his eighth career playoff triple-double and became just the fifth player in NBA history to record a 25-point, 15-rebound and 10-assist stat line in a clinching opportunity, joining Robertson, Chamberlain, James Worthy, and James.

February 6, 2021: Career-High 50 Points Against Kings

September 2021: Birth of Daughter Ognjena

In September 2021, Jokić and his wife Natalija Mačešić welcomed their first child, a daughter named Ognjena.

November 8, 2021: Ejection After Shoving Morris

On November 8, 2021, in a 113–96 victory over the Miami Heat, Jokić and opposing forward Markieff Morris were both ejected after Morris shoved Jokić, leading Jokić to shoulder Morris in the back.

January 25, 2022: Victory over the Detroit Pistons

On January 25, 2022, Jokić recorded 28 points, 21 rebounds, and nine assists in a 110–105 victory over the Detroit Pistons; he also became the only player in NBA history to record 5,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists within his first 500 career games.

June 15, 2022: Jokić Announces Return to National Team

On June 15, 2022, Jokić announced that he would return to the national team after three years for the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers and the EuroBasket 2022.

July 1, 2022: Supermax Contract Extension

On July 1, 2022, Jokić agreed to a five-year, $264 million supermax contract extension with the Nuggets, making it the richest deal in NBA history at the time of the signing.

2022: NBA Finals MVP Award

In the 2022-23 NBA season, Nikola Jokić was awarded the NBA Finals MVP after leading the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA championship.

January 1, 2023: Triple-Double Victory Over Celtics

On January 1, 2023, Jokić recorded his 85th career triple-double with 30 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, and no turnovers on 10-of-13 shooting, 2-of-2 from three, 8-of-8 from the free throw line in a 123–111 victory over the Boston Celtics. He became the first player in NBA history to have multiple games of at least 30 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds without a turnover.

July 2023: Jokić Opts Out of 2023 FIBA World Cup

In July 2023, Jokić chose not to be selected for the 2023 FIBA World Cup because of physical and mental fatigue following his victorious season at Denver Nuggets.

October 24, 2023: Triple-Double to Open NBA Championship Defense

On October 24, 2023, Nikola Jokić recorded a triple-double with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists as the Denver Nuggets launched the defense of their NBA championship crown with a season-opening victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

2023: Winner of the Hickok Belt

In 2023, Jokić was named winner of the Hickok Belt, presented annually by the National Sports Media Association to the top professional athlete in the United States.

January 4, 2024: Game-Winning Shot Against the Warriors

On January 4, 2024, Nikola Jokić scored 34 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and delivered nine assists, including a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 130–127 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

June 10, 2024: Jokić Included on Serbia's Preliminary Roster for 2024 Summer Olympics

On June 10, 2024, Jokić was included on Serbia's preliminary roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

October 26, 2024: 41 points and career-high seven 3-pointers

On October 26, 2024, Nikola Jokić scored 41 points and made a career-high seven 3-pointers in a 109–103 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

November 2024: Birth of Son Ignjat

In November 2024, Jokić and his wife Natalija Mačešić welcomed their second child, a son named Ignjat.

2024: Bronze Medal at the Summer Olympics

In 2024, Nikola Jokić, representing the Serbian national team, won a bronze medal at the Summer Olympics.

2024: Career Averages Through 2024-25 Season

Through the 2024–25 season, Jokić's career averages are 21.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game in the regular season, and 27.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game in the playoffs.

July 2025: Jokić Included on Serbia's Preliminary Roster for EuroBasket 2025

In July 2025, Jokić was included on Serbia's preliminary roster for EuroBasket 2025.

October 29, 2025: Fourth Consecutive Triple-Double

On October 29, 2025, Nikola Jokić matched an NBA record with his fourth consecutive triple-double to start the season, as the Denver Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 122–88, joining Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook as the only players to achieve this.

January 30, 2026: Return after 16-game absence

On January 30, 2026, Jokić returned to the court after a 16-game absence, putting up 31 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists, in a 122–109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. He became the first player in NBA history to record 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists while playing less than 25 minutes in a game.

February 4, 2026: 181st Career Triple-Double

On February 4, 2026, Jokić achieved his 181st triple-double in an overtime loss to the New York Knicks, tying him with Oscar Robertson for the second-most triple-doubles all-time with 30 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists and zero turnovers.