WGL Sports Performer of the Day (2/13/17)

Denver Nuggets Power Forward Nikola Jokic (17 points, 21 rebounds, 12 assists)

18 days. That’s how long it took Nikola Jokic to get his second Sports Performer of the Day nod. 11 days. That’s the length of time in between Jokic’s first and second career triple-doubles after registering another one on Monday (it’s worth noting that he also had a 40-point game in that span). Taking on the star-studded Warriors last night, Jokic was the man of the night. He scored 17 points, pulled down 21 rebounds, and dished out 12 assists to lead the Nuggets to a 132-110 blowout win. The Nuggets led by 25 at halftime and never looked back from there. Jokic certainly filled up the stat sheet and he did so shooting just 7 for 13 from the field, the second fewest attempts among Denver’s starters.

With the win, the Nuggets improve to 25-30 on the season. They continue to hold onto the #8 seed in the Western Conference, albeit barely (they led the Blazers by one game entering last night). Reinforcements are also on the way after the Nuggets acquired Mason Plumlee from those same Blazers just a few days ago. Still, the Nuggets go as Jokic goes. Since January, he is one of just three players in the league who are averaging at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game (perennial All-Stars Russell Westbrook and DeMarcus Cousins are the others). Jokic had a case to be among those guys at the All-Star game this season, but since he has not developed into a household name and is stuck playing on a small market team, he isn’t quite there yet. Still, Jokic will be taking part in the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night as part of the World team, and the sky is the limit for this guy.