Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic just broke an NBA record that might end up being unbreakable
Nikola Jokic has spent the last decade redefining what is possible for a seven-footer, turning the center position from a role of paint-bound dominance into a hub of offensive creativity. On Thursday night against the Orlando Magic, the Denver Nuggets superstar didn't just add another triple-double to his resume—he toppled a statistical pillar that had stood for decades, establishing a new benchmark that may never be touched again.
With a seamless dish in the first half, Jokic surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time leader in assists by a center. Abdul-Jabbar, whose skyhook and longevity are the stuff of legend, retired with 5,660 career assists—a figure that seemed insurmountable for a big man. Jokic, however, eclipsed that number in fewer than half the games it took the Hall of Famer to set it.
The term "unbreakable" is often thrown around loosely in sports, but in this specific context, it feels appropriate. For a center to break Jokic’s eventual final tally, they would need to average over seven assists per game for 15 healthy seasons. To put that in perspective, no other center in the top 25 all-time has averaged even five assists per game. While young talents like Alperen Sengun show flashes of similar playmaking, the sheer consistency and volume of Jokic’s production create a mathematical mountain that future generations will struggle to climb.
True to form, the three-time MVP deflected the historic magnitude of the moment with his signature dry humor. When asked about the legacy of holding such a record, Jokic joked that it was merely fodder for his retirement years.
"I always say those things are something for after my career," Jokic said postgame. "I think the legacy is for after I retire, when I’m on the porch drinking beer and telling lies to my kids."
While Jokic may downplay the achievement, the NBA history books will not. He has not only passed a legend in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar but has fundamentally altered the geometry of basketball. As he continues to pad this record, Jokic is ensuring that his spot atop the playmaking mountain remains lonely for a very long time.
With a seamless dish in the first half, Jokic surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time leader in assists by a center. Abdul-Jabbar, whose skyhook and longevity are the stuff of legend, retired with 5,660 career assists—a figure that seemed insurmountable for a big man. Jokic, however, eclipsed that number in fewer than half the games it took the Hall of Famer to set it.
The term "unbreakable" is often thrown around loosely in sports, but in this specific context, it feels appropriate. For a center to break Jokic’s eventual final tally, they would need to average over seven assists per game for 15 healthy seasons. To put that in perspective, no other center in the top 25 all-time has averaged even five assists per game. While young talents like Alperen Sengun show flashes of similar playmaking, the sheer consistency and volume of Jokic’s production create a mathematical mountain that future generations will struggle to climb.
True to form, the three-time MVP deflected the historic magnitude of the moment with his signature dry humor. When asked about the legacy of holding such a record, Jokic joked that it was merely fodder for his retirement years.
"I always say those things are something for after my career," Jokic said postgame. "I think the legacy is for after I retire, when I’m on the porch drinking beer and telling lies to my kids."
While Jokic may downplay the achievement, the NBA history books will not. He has not only passed a legend in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar but has fundamentally altered the geometry of basketball. As he continues to pad this record, Jokic is ensuring that his spot atop the playmaking mountain remains lonely for a very long time.
