Jokic Sets Fastest Triple-Double in NBA History

The record had stood, untouched, for 63 years. On a February night in Milwaukee, Nikola Jokić dismantled it in a little over 14 minutes.

A demolition in the second quarter

The Bradley Center belonged to the Bucks, but Jokić made it his stage. With 1:54 remaining in the first half, the Nuggets centre had already secured his triple-double — 16 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists — racing past a mark set by Jim Tucker of the Syracuse Nationals in 1955.

The clock read just 14 minutes and 33 seconds of court time. Tucker's previous record had been 17 minutes. Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 36 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists for Milwaukee, but the Greek star's own formidable triple-double was a footnote in a 134–123 Denver victory.

Precision and a box score without precedent

Jokić shot 11-of-14 from the floor, a perfect 3-of-3 from distance and 5-of-5 from the line. He closed the game with 30 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds — the first player ever to post that line alongside two blocks since the league began tracking the stat.

It marked his 11th career triple-double, his fifth that season, and came just two days after a 23-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist performance in San Antonio. The run of form was gathering pace, and the record books were being rewritten in real time.

A Serbian centre reshaping the game

At 22, the 6-foot-10 Jokić already headed an exclusive list. Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Ben Simmons had each come close, but none had breached the 17-minute barrier. A Guinness World Records ratification underlined the magnitude of the feat.

“Each guy kind of had their own little stretch,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said afterwards. “Jamal got going in the third quarter, and we rode him and ran some plays for him. Gary Harris had it going, and Nikola shot it well.” The understatement reflected a team where the extraordinary was becoming routine.

The night in Milwaukee placed Jokić on a trajectory that would soon gather multiple MVP awards, a championship ring and a Finals MVP. But this was the evening he broke a record no player had touched in over six decades, and did it with the quiet efficiency that defines his game.