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Nikola Jokic posts ridiculous 40-27-10 triple-double in Nuggets' win (2:12)

The Nuggets won their 18th game of the season with a stellar performance from Joki. 2 minutes later.

11:42 PM ET

Jokic had a triple-double in the Denver Nuggets' win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Jokic's triple-double was his fifth of the season and 81st of his career. He is the third player in NBA history to record at least 40 points, 25 rebound and 10 assists in a game, following in the footsteps of two other players.

Only Jokic has a stat line of at least 40-27-10, which he did four times, the last being when he had 53 points, 32 rebound and 14 assists for Philadelphia in 1968.

On December 13, 1961, the Bears had 52 points, 25 rebound and 10 assists. The man had 44 points, 23 rebound and 10 assists. Oscar Robinson had 42 points, 21 rebound and 10 assists in a game on January 9, 1965.

Jokic sealed the victory for Denver with two free throws with 13 seconds left.

During the course of the game, Jokic was putting up a lot of numbers, but he didn't know it.

"I didn't know he was having another great performance, but I knew he was having another great performance,'' he said. It's not just about one person. He is able to make his teammates better. Nikola is a talent that's generations old.

Jokic's rebound helped the Nuggets get defensive stops and ignite their transition game with quick outlet passes to teammates. Jokic said that many of the boards came from being in the right place.

Jokic said that he was in the right place to rebound the ball. I wasn't grabbing for them or anything. It just happened. I would like it to be every night.

The Hornets have lost their eighth consecutive game.

LaMelo Ball was the leading scorer for Charlotte. Kelly Oubre had 16 points.

In the first half, Jokic had a 20-rebound half, the first player with a 20-rebound half in two years.

Jokic scored 11 points in the third quarter to help Denver build a three-point halftime lead.

Charlotte got to 107-104 on Ball's jumper with 3:29 left. The Nuggets regained a cushion when Gordon went in for a reverse layup off a feed from Jokic before Jokic put in a hook shot to make it a three-point game.

Jokic completed the triple-double with a pass that led to Bruce Brown's 3-pointer. Jokic's 40-point triple-double was the third of his career, but the only other one was by Michael Adams.

Charlotte got back within two on a dunk by Washington before Jokic hit a pair of free throws and Charlotte couldn't get a shot off in the final moments.

In his past three games, Jokic has recorded a combined108 points, 52 rebound, 26 assists and 11 steals, becoming the first player with 100 points, 40 rebound, 20 assists and 10 steals over a three-game span since steals became an official stat in 1973.

The AP contributed to the report.