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Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokić made history during the team’s 126-115 victory over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night at Ball Arena.
Jokić, 30, surpassed Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most assists by a center in NBA history. Abdul-Jabbar had 5,660 career assists and Jokić surpassed him when he passed to Jalen Pickett, who hit the 3-pointer.
Jokić recorded his 13th triple-double of the season, scoring 23 points with 13 assists and 11 rebounds.
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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, right, looks to pass the ball under pressure from Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. in the first half in Denver, Colorado, on Dec. 18, 2025. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)
The three-time MVP has been fantastic for the Nuggets this season. In 26 games, Jokić has averaged a triple-double, scoring 29.6 points per game, grabbing 12.3 rebounds and dishing out 10.3 assists.
The seven-time All-Star is already one of the best playmaking centers in the history of the sport.
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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, left, looks to pass the ball as Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze, right forward, and guard Noah Penda defend in the first half in Denver, Colorado, on Dec. 18, 2025. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)
Jokić’s play is a big reason why the Nuggets are 20-6 and second in the Western Conference, behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are 25-2. The Nuggets’ victory over the Magic was their sixth consecutive victory.
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was also key in the team’s victory, catching fire in the second quarter. Murray scored 20 of his 32 points in a decisive second quarter for Denver, making five of six 3-point attempts in the second quarter after the Nuggets trailed by 14.
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Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front, drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black defends in the first half in Denver, Colorado, on Dec. 18, 2025. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)
Murray, who has never been named to an All-Star team in his eight seasons, is averaging a career-best 25.2 points this season and 28.1 in December, including a 52-point game against the Indiana Pacers two weeks ago.
The Nuggets’ next game is against the Houston Rockets (16-8) on Saturday at 5 pm ET.
