In their next game, Nikola Jokic and his Denver Nuggets take on the Kevin Durant-led Phoenix Suns. The Serbian international has been pretty much unstoppable against most teams in the past two seasons. Here is a look at the career stats of the two-time MVP against the Phoenix Suns, as the two Western Conference powerhouses brace for a collision at Ball Arena in Denver tonight.
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In his 25 games against the Phoenix Suns, Nikola Jokic has tallied 20.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. He has been averaging these numbers shooting 56.5% from the field and 38.3% from the three-point line. The Serbian’s most impressive game against the Suns came during Christmas Day of the 2022-23 regular season.
On December 25, 2022, Jokic put up 41 points, 15, rebounds, 15 assists, and 1 block in a close 128-125 win against the Desert franchise. The Nuggets dodged Landry Shamet’s career-high 31-point performance in the process, as the Joker put together a much bigger bonanza. This was the same season where Jokic and the Nuggets won their first NBA title.
At the beginning of the 2023-24 season, Jokic tallied his top mark of 16 assists against the Phoenix Suns. If we delve into Jokic’s highest rebound mark against the Suns, it came in January of the 2020-21 season. The phenomenal Center collected 22 rebounds in addition to 22 points in a 112-102 triumph against the Western Conference Rivals.
Nikola Jokic continues to set himself apart
The Joker has just stretched the boundary of what can be termed a methodical brand of basketball. The 6’11” Center reads the floor like an open book and plays such organized basketball that you can consistently see an accurate pass thrown on the weak side for easy buckets. Playing around the incredible Floor General makes the Nuggets the most fine-tuned engine on the offensive end.
The 2x MVP deals most of his damage around the high-post and the low-post areas. In terms of numbers, the 2023-24 season may even be better than his title-winning 2022-23 season. Statistically, he is delivering 25.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. He is shooting 58.1% from the field and is making 1 out of 3 three-point attempts per game on 34.1% shooting.
Currently, the Nuggets are in an enthralling battle for the top seed in the West with three teams being half a game removed from each other. The top-three teams Minnesota Timberwolves, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Denver Nuggets are in fierce competition to nail the top West spot. This breathtaking race also paves the way to a top-notch postseason.
