There's more evidence Nikola Jokic is a singular talent in NBA history.
The three-time Most Valuable Player posted the NBA's first performance of 30 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists in Denver's 149-141 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday at Ball Arena.
Jokic needed the 5 extra minutes to do so but finished with 31 points, 22 assists and 21 rebounds.
"Nikola Jokic is one of one, the first player to ever have a 30-20-20 game," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. "I can't describe him, so don't ask me to."
Jokic had 26 points, 18 rebounds and 17 assists after he assisted Christian Braun's corner 3-pointer in the final 2 seconds of regulation. Kevin Durant answered on the other end to force overtime.
Jokic ended the night 13 of 22 from the field, 3 of 7 from 3-point range and 2 of 3 at the free throw line after leading the charge as Denver scored 24 points in the 5-minute overtime.
"Throughout the game, obviously, you see how Nikola's impacting the game with the rebounding, the scoring, the playmaking," Malone said.
The Nuggets coach declined to give out the team's chain to a best defender, citing Phoenix's 141 points, but it would've gone to Jokic, who finished with three steals, if he did. Malone liked the way Jokic defended the Suns' pick-and-roll sets.
"It got to a point where they run so many pick and rolls, and Nikola's levels, to me, were so effective," Malone said. "Their guards, their forwards started saying, 'Don't come play pick and roll. I'd rather play one-on-one than have to deal with two defenders all over me.' That's a credit to Nikola being up, being active. ... Everybody says he can't defend, but we all know that's not true. The guy's a hell of a defender. I think you saw everything on full display tonight."
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Aaron Gordon added 27 points on 15 shots for Denver, while Christian Braun (25 points), Jamal Murray (19), Michael Porter Jr. (16), Russell Westbrook (14) and Peyton Watson (11) also scored in double figures for the Nuggets. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 34 points, and Durant added 29 for the Suns, but that wasn't enough to overcome an all-time performance from a unique talent in NBA history.
"The guy is just an incredible player," Malone said. "When you are one of one in this league, and the tremendous history of this league, that says a lot. There's a lot of good players in this league, but Nikola, in my opinion, is just in a class all by himself."
NUGGETS 149, SUNS 141, OT
What happened: Denver led by nine after the first quarter and took a 68-56 advantage to halftime. Phoenix shaved a point off Denver's lead in the third and forced overtime on Kevin Durant's 3-pointer at the buzzer. A 7-0 run to start overtime helped Denver improve to 41-22.
What went right: The Nuggets went 7 of 11 from 3-point range in the first quarter to build the lead. Aaron Gordon started 4 for 5, while Nikola Jokic made two of his first four attempts. Denver was 13 of 20 from 3 at halftime.
What went wrong: Denver led by as many as 21 in the third quarter, but Phoenix closed the third and started the fourth on a 12-2 run to close within eight.
Highlight of the night: All four of Jamal Murray's first-quarter points came off steals and transition dunks. The second time, Murray baited Grayson Allen into a crosscourt pass, picked it off in the backcourt, took a couple of dribbles and threw down a strong two-handed slam.
Up next: The Nuggets head to Oklahoma City for Sunday's first leg of a back-to-back against the Thunder.