By NBA Beat Writer | February 10, 2026
We often talk about “witnessing greatness” in sports to the point where the phrase loses its meaning. But what is happening right now in Denver, Colorado, is the literal definition of sports history unfolding in real-time.
The numbers have been crunched, and the reality is setting in: Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic is now just 25 triple-doubles away from passing Russell Westbrook for No. 1 on the all-time list.
Westbrook currently sits atop the mountain with a staggering 198 career triple-doubles—a number many pundits thought was unbreakable after he shattered Oscar Robertson’s decades-old record.
Yet, here comes the Joker. Quietly, efficiently, and inevitably coming for the crown.
The Inevitability of the Joker
For most players, achieving 25 triple-doubles is a career-defining statistic. For Nikola Jokic, it’s just a tough season and a half.
What makes this chase so fascinating is the aura around it. When Westbrook was chasing Oscar, it was a high-octane, athletic tour de force. Russ was a blur of energy, hunting rebounds and assists with ferocious intensity.
Jokic’s approach couldn’t be more different.
The Sombor native doesn’t seem to care about the stats at all. His triple-doubles feel almost accidental—a natural byproduct of playing basketball the “right” way. He steps onto the court, dictates the tempo like a chess grandmaster, makes the perfect pass 30 times a game, and suddenly you look up in the 4th quarter and his line is 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists on 70% shooting.
He is normalizing the extraordinary every single night.
When Will It Happen?
The big question now is: When does the record fall?
Given Jokic’s usual pace, we are looking at one of two scenarios:
-
The Historic Hot Streak: Jokic goes on an absolute tear to close out the 2025-26 regular season and somehow snags 25 in the remaining 25-30 games. (Unlikely, but never say never with him).
-
The Early 2026-27 Coronation: The most probable outcome is that Jokic chips away at the deficit over the next two months and enters next season needing just a handful of games to secure the top spot.
Regardless of the exact date, the writing is on the wall. It’s not an “if,” it’s a “when.”
Redefining the Center Position
When Jokic eventually passes Westbrook (and having already dusted legends like Magic Johnson, LeBron James, and the Big O), it will serve as the final nail in the coffin of the old-school definition of a “center.”
For decades, the center position was about back-to-the-basket dominance and rim protection. Jokic has turned the paint into a playmaker’s paradise. He is the nexus of the entire offense, a 7-footer with better vision than most star point guards.
Owning the triple-double record as a center is, frankly, absurd. It speaks to a skill set that we have never seen before and may never see again.
Don’t Blink
We are spoiled in the modern NBA with high-scoring nights and incredible athleticism. But do not take what Nikola Jokic is doing for granted.
He is carving out a legacy that will place him firmly in the top-10 all-time debates when it’s all said and done. Every night the Nuggets play, there is a chance you will see a statistical notch that brings him closer to immortality.
Buckle up, basketball fans. The Joker is about to steal the show again.
