Nikola Jokic has been named the Western Conference player of the week, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Jokic had himself a week. On Wednesday, Jokic opened the season by showing off his newfound belief in his abilities on the defensive end of the floor, stonewalling every guard as they tried to turn the corner in the pick and roll. On Saturday, Jokic put up one of the most impressive statlines you’ll ever see in basketball: 35 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 4 steals, and a block while shooting a perfect 11 for 11 from the floor and not turning it over once. He capped the week off by leading his team to yet another victory over the Golden State Warriors, helping the Denver Nuggets get off to their best start in a decade at 3-0.
That Saturday game alone was enough to warrant the award. No player since Wilt Chamberlain had scored 35 or more points without missing a single shot from the field. Jokic did it while also tallying a triple-double, while also avoiding a single turnover, and adding 4 steals and a block just for good measure. Statistically, it was one of the best games ever played.
This is the 3rd player of the week award Jokic has won, all within the last calendar year. He won in mid-November last season and in the final week of the season in April which means Jokic has now won the player of the week award in two consecutive weeks, albeit separated by an entire offseason.
Celebrate by watching highlights of Jokic’s historic night against the Phoenix Suns.
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