Only the woeful Wizards stand between Nikola Jokić posting a triple-double against every NBA team

No one is surprised by Nikola Jokić’s versatility anymore. The reigning NBA Finals MVP is one of the most impactful (and entertaining) all-around offensive players in league history. At this point, the Denver Nuggets superstar attaining a triple-double is sometimes the baseline expectation for his performance.

And if Jokić does it on Thursday night, he’ll have made unique NBA history.

You see, with the Nuggets aside (since he can’t play them), Jokić has a triple-double against 28 of the remaining 29 NBA teams. The only other squad he’s ironically never posted a triple-double against is the awful Washington Wizards. The Wizards happen to be visiting Denver in the first game after the league’s All-Star break on Thursday. You do the math.

Betting on a Jokić triple-double against Washington is the easiest money.

There are, of course, some caveats to Jokić’s triple-double potential against the Wizards.

If Washington, say, gives the big man single coverage, then he’ll probably just focus on scoring instead of facilitating since that’s the smart basketball play. We must also consider whether this will be a close game by the time the fourth quarter rolls around. Jokić has reached triple-doubles earlier in games plenty of times, but if the Nuggets are blowing Washington out and he still hasn’t done it by the fourth quarter, it’s hard to imagine he’ll stay in the game. The Nuggets likely won’t specifically keep him in to shoot for a triple-double unless he’s already really close. They have bigger fish to fry in the playoffs and would prefer to give their best player rest if they can.

(Note: Only two NBA players have actually attained a triple-double against all 30 NBA teams — LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.)

With all of that said, Jokić can probably get 10 points and 10 rebounds in his sleep. So, as long as his teammates make the inevitable open shots he creates for them to get him the requisite assists, I would feel comfortable betting on the all-time great to make unique individual history.