Doncic overtakes Jokic for 30-point triple-doubles: “Defending him is a nightmare”
With Jokic still sidelined by injury, Luka Dončić takes center stage: a 38-point triple-double and a leap past the Serbian center in one of the NBA’s most prestigious statistical categories
Luka Doncic delivers yet another headline-grabbing NBA performance – and does so in the most symbolic way possible: against Denver, on the Ball Arena floor, in front of Nikola Jokic (still out injured).
The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Nuggets 115-107, securing a crucial road win highlighted by a milestone that rewrites part of league history.
Wearing number 77, Doncic finishes with 38 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists – a monumental triple-double that allows him to surpass Jokic for the most triple-doubles with at least 30 points in NBA history.
Defending him is a nightmare
Confirming just how difficult it is to slow him down was Peyton Watson, tasked with guarding Dončić for long stretches of the game:
He’s one of the most insane offensive players we’ve seen in a long time. He’s smart, reads everything, breaks you down possession by possession. He’s surgical.
Peyton Watson
Words that explain better than any statistic why Doncic continues to rewrite records night after night.
Doncic second all-time in 30-point triple-doubles
With the performance in Denver, Luka Doncic reaches 52 career triple-doubles with 30+ points, becoming the second-best player ever in this exclusive category.
Only one name remains ahead of him, Oscar Robertson, unreachable.
- Oscar Robertson: 106
- Luka Doncic: 52
- Nikola Jokic: 51
Jokic’s absence – out for 12 games with a knee injury – robs the night of a direct showdown, but it doesn’t erase the bond between the two. Over the years, Doncic and Jokic have built a relationship rooted in mutual respect, shared European origins, and a touch of irony that often surfaces when they cross paths.
The win over the Nuggets gives the Lakers their second straight victory, improving to a 26-16 record, with an impressive 14-8 mark on the road. It’s a sign of a team capable of rising to the occasion in hostile environments, even if recent form (5-5 in the last ten games) remains inconsistent.
All-Star Game: Luka Doncic tops fan voting
Before tip-off, Doncic also addressed another show of love from the public, after being named the most-voted player by fans for the All-Star Game:
It’s incredible… I just want to thank everyone who voted for me. I’m just a kid from Slovenia who dreamed of playing in the NBA.
Luka Doncic
A quote that perfectly captures the human journey behind the numbers.
Next up: Los Angeles derby
With the Denver road trip in the books, the Lakers will be right back in action for a high-stakes matchup: Thursday brings the Los Angeles derby against the Clippers, another key test of ambition and consistency.