Nikola Jokic first with 2K points, 1K rebounds, 500 assists; leads Denver Nuggets to playoff berth

play

Jokic made history by becoming the first player in NBA history to have four consecutive playoff berths in a row.

Jokic was the first player in NBA history to have 2,000 points, 1,000 rebound and 500 assists. He had 35 points, 16 rebound, six assists, and five steals.

"Dude is really great at basketball," teammate Bones Hyland said.

Jokic's big night came after he took an elbow from Jaren Jackson Jr. to the right forehead and temple.

Jokic wore a red headband for the rest of the game as he helped the Nuggets overcome a shaky start to avoid a season sweep by the Memphis.

The coach of the Nuggets declared that theMVP is not a competition. I am not saying they are not good players. Everything we have had to go through with this team is just incredible, because of what Jokic has done.

He was good last year, and he is even better this year.

Despite missing two of their best players, the Nuggets still secured a top-six spot in the Western Conference playoffs and avoided a four-team play-in.

They can still win the Northwest Division if they beat the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz lose to Phoenix and Portland. The Minnesota Timberwolves were in the play-in after the victory.

Gordon had 22 points for Denver.

After having already captured the first division title in their history and securing the second seed in the West, the Grizzlies were coming off an overtime loss at Utah on Wednesday night.

I think we played good basketball the other night against Utah. "Tonight, we just didn't have it," the coach said.

Jokic was the main reason.

We threw a lot at him. He is nearly impossible to guard. He will beat you from inside and outside. He was playing at a really high level tonight.

Morant has been out since March 18 with a right knee injury, but the team is hopeful he will return this weekend.

Jokic was bloodied in the crucial game for Denver.

The first thought that came to me was Steve Nash in that playoff series.

I'm saying not tonight.

He asked his trainers to do everything they could to stop the flow of blood.

"Get a staple gun out here, like, and it finally stopped," he said.

Jokic said he wouldn't wear the headband anymore. He will leave that look to James.

Jokic said that he looked great.

Jokic said that he has had a better season than last year, but that he is not lobbying for another award.

He said that if that is enough, it is enough.

Jokic got a game ball from the Nuggets, but he joked that the trainers would probably sell his headband on eBay.

The Associated Press contributed to the story.